Jayapal Slams Noem, Warns of DHS ‘Lawlessness’ and Iran War

Jayapal Accuses DHS Secretary of ‘Lawlessness,’ Calls for Resignation

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, a prominent member of the House Judiciary Committee, launched a scathing critique of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leadership on Tuesday, asserting that Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen presides over an agency characterized by “zero accountability” and “lawlessness.” Jayapal’s remarks, made following a congressional hearing, painted a grim picture of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents operating with unchecked authority, leading to the detention and even death of U.S. citizens.

“The most important thing… is that DHS is led by somebody with zero accountability,” Jayapal stated in a post-hearing interview. “That ICE and CBP are running wild, killing U.S. citizens, detaining U.S. citizens. That’s what my question line was about, and locking up people who have committed absolutely no crime.” She highlighted that a staggering 75 percent of individuals detained in private facilities across the country have not committed any offenses, underscoring what she described as “failed leadership” under Secretary Nielsen.

Nielsen’s Tenure Marked by ‘Corruption’ and ‘Lawlessness,’ Jayapal Claims

Jayapal went as far as to suggest that Nielsen’s tenure is nearing its end due to her alleged “corruption” and the “lawlessness” displayed by agents on the border. “I think that she does not have a long career here. Her corruption at the agency combined with the lawlessness of these ICE and CBP agents on display for everyone to see is going to bring her down,” Jayapal declared. The congresswoman believes that the public’s perception of ICE has shifted dramatically, citing a recent poll indicating that 50 percent of Americans believe the agency should be abolished. This sentiment, Jayapal argued, stems from witnessing the harsh realities of immigration enforcement, including the militarization of streets, the detention of children, and family separations.

Jayapal Links DHS Criticisms to Broader Concerns About Trump Administration Policies

The congresswoman connected her criticisms of DHS to a wider pattern of what she perceives as problematic policies enacted by the Trump administration. She emphasized that Americans desire a functional immigration system that targets serious criminals, not individuals facing civil immigration offenses. “We want a fix to the broken immigration system legislatively. We do not want the government to go after all of these people on civil immigration offenses. And we certainly don’t want our government militarizing our streets, killing U.S. citizens and detaining U.S. citizens,” Jayapal asserted.

Jayapal Expresses Grave Concerns Over Iran Conflict Briefing

In addition to her sharp criticism of DHS, Representative Jayapal also voiced significant apprehension regarding the Trump administration’s recent actions and communications concerning Iran. Following a briefing for House lawmakers on the escalating tensions with Iran, Jayapal shared the concerns of several Democratic colleagues who described the operation as “open-ended” and suggested that it has “not even really started in earnest yet.”

‘Illegal, Unconstitutional War’ Against Iran, Claims Congresswoman

Jayapal characterized the potential military engagement as an “illegal, unconstitutional war.” She stated that the briefing provided no information about an imminent attack that would justify the President initiating hostilities without congressional authorization. “There was nothing in the briefing, given to us about any imminent attack that would have allowed the president to go to war without the authorization of Congress,” Jayapal explained.

The congresswoman expressed fear of further American casualties and the potential deployment of U.S. troops on the ground. She criticized the administration’s handling of the situation, particularly President Trump’s dismissive remarks about troop losses. “No, it’s not. That is why the founders said that the issue of going to war could only be authorized by Congress, because the consequences are so severe to U.S. lives… to the global relationships and domestic stability,” Jayapal argued, underscoring the constitutional role of Congress in matters of war.

‘War of Choice,’ Not Necessity, Jayapal Asserts

Jayapal concluded that the conflict with Iran is a “war of choice, not a war of necessity.” She believes the American people do not support another prolonged engagement, especially given the President’s prior rhetoric about ending “forever wars.” The congresswoman suggested that the focus on Iran might be an attempt to distract from other pressing domestic issues, such as rising prices, the ongoing Epstein case, and widespread government corruption.

Jayapal’s dual criticisms of the Trump administration’s immigration policies and its foreign policy decisions highlight a deepening divide and growing distrust in Washington.

Source: 'She does not have a long career here': Jayapal slams Noem's 'lawlessness' (YouTube)