WASHINGTON: The fatal shooting of an immigration rights activist earlier this month has triggered rapidly growing support among House Democrats for impeaching US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Within just seven days of its introduction, the number of co-sponsors backing the impeachment resolution has reached 100, sponsors of the resolution said on Wednesday.

Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis on Jan 7 during a controversial enforcement action that has ignited protests and political backlash nationwide.

At a White House press briefing on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump described the shooting as a “tragedy” and said he “felt horribly” about Good’s death. He acknowledged that “ICE is gonna make mistakes sometimes” and said he “understands both sides” of the incident.

The impeachment resolution, introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois, accuses Ms Noem of obstructing Congress, violating the public trust and engaging in self-dealing — charges that have resonated with a growing number of Democratic lawmakers.

“Secretary Noem and her rogue agency have caused destruction and devastation across the country,” Ms Kelly said in a statement. “One hundred House Democrats from California to New York, Minnesota to Texas support my impeachment resolution because our communities have seen ICE’s Gestapo-like tactics firsthand.”

The articles of impeachment allege that Ms Noem attempted to unlawfully enter a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) facility used to detain undocumented immigrants and directed ICE to carry out “widespread warrantless arrests”. The resolution claimed that she also urged ICE to “forgo due process, and use violence against United States citizens, lawful residents and other individuals”.

The resolution also accuses the homeland security secretary of misusing her position for personal gain, including what critics say was the improper use of $200 million in taxpayer funds to finance an ICE recruitment advertising campaign.

“As Secretary Noem continues to lie, obstruct Congress, and violate people’s civil rights, the support for her impeachment only grows,” Ms Kelly said, urging Republican lawmakers to “be on the right side of the law and our Constitution.”

Democratic aides described the growing support as unprecedented during Mr Trump’s second term, noting that several lawmakers previously hesitant about impeachment have now signed on.

Among them is Rep. Jared Huffman of California, who said the circumstances were “so extreme that a message needs to be sent,” even as he acknowledged the measure’s slim prospects in the current Congress.

With 213 members in the House Democratic caucus, backing for the resolution is now nearing half the party. A spokesperson for Ms Kelly said more offices were reviewing the text and that additional co-sponsors were expected.

The Department of Homeland Security has dismissed the impeachment drive as “silly,” saying Democrats should instead focus on crime in their own districts.

While Democrats can force a vote in the House, the effort faces long odds in the Republican-controlled chamber. Any conviction in the Senate would require a two-thirds majority, a threshold widely seen as unattainable under current political alignments.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2026