U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday called for the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller—one of the principal architects of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda—while demanding sweeping changes as a condition for any additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Sanders (I-Vt.) described ICE as a “domestic military force” that is “terrorizing” communities nationwide. He pointed to recent operations in Minnesota and Maine, citing what he characterized as horrific and, in some cases, deadly abuses carried out by federal officers.
Sanders argued that “not another penny should be given” to ICE or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) “unless there are fundamental reforms in how those agencies function—and until there is new leadership at the Department of Homeland Security and among those who run our immigration policy.” He has called for repealing a $75 billion funding increase for ICE approved by Republicans last summer, banning warrantless arrests, requiring ICE and CBP agents to be unmasked, and implementing additional oversight measures.
“To be clear, Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller must go,” Sanders said Wednesday, condemning the administration’s efforts to smear Renee Good and Alex Pretti, U.S. citizens who were killed this month by federal agents in Minneapolis.
The remarks came as the Senate considers a package of six appropriations bills that includes a Department of Homeland Security measure totaling more than $64 billion, with roughly $10 billion allocated for ICE. Democrats have urged separating the DHS bill from the broader package and have pressed for ICE reforms as a prerequisite for passage.
Punchbowl reported Thursday morning that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and the Trump White House are “negotiating a framework to pass five of the six outstanding FY2026 funding bills, as well as a stopgap measure for the Department of Homeland Security,” as lawmakers try to avert a potential government shutdown at week’s end.
“Under this framework, Congress would pass a short-term DHS patch to allow for negotiations to continue over new limits on ICE and CBP agents as they implement President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown,” the outlet reported. “If Schumer and the White House come to an agreement, there would still likely be a funding lapse over the weekend. The House, which is slated to return Monday, would have to pass the five-bill spending package and the DHS stopgap.”
Beyond the funding fight, pressure is mounting within the Democratic caucus for Noem’s removal following Pretti’s killing. Noem has falsely claimed Pretti “arrived at the scene” in Minneapolis “to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement,” a statement that has been contradicted by emerging evidence. She has attempted to shift blame to Miller, who also repeated the allegation.
More than three-quarters of House Democrats are now backing articles of impeachment against Noem, accusing her of obstructing Congress, violating the public trust, and engaging in self-dealing. Trump has rejected calls to remove her, saying they “have a very good relationship.”
“The two agents who shot and killed Alex Pretti are now on leave, but Trump still backs Noem instead of firing her,” Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), who is leading the impeachment effort, said late Wednesday. “I’m leading 174 members with articles of impeachment against Noem. The public is crying out for change. Enough is enough.”
