Texas Congresswoman Julie Johnson (D-TX) censured Department of Homeland Security operations after taking the floor at a congressional hearing this week.
The House Committee on Homeland Security held the hearing to focus on security threats, centering the questions around DHS secretary Kristi Noem. Protesters interrupted the hearing by shouting “The power of Christ compels you!” at the secretary.
As the hearing progressed, Democrats questioned Noem about recent DHS operations, specifically the detainment of U.S. citizens and veterans. When asked if the department had ever detained veterans, Noem replied, ”Sir, we have not deported U.S. citizens or military veterans.”
Purple Heart recipient and military veteran Sae Joon Park joined the meeting virtually via Zoom where he was introduced to Noem. In June, the veteran self-deported to South Korea after being told he would be detained and deported if he did not voluntarily leave. Noem was asked to thank him for his service.
Throughout the hearing, Noem consistently denied illegally deporting U.S. citizens. The secretary asserted that the actions of Homeland Security were within the bounds of the constitution, re-affirming the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.
The questioning was cut short when she left the hearing early to, according to Noem, “co-chair” the “FEMA review council.”
After Noem’s departure, Texas Rep. Julie Johnson took the floor and responded to Noem's comments.
“If there’s anything that is clear about what is going on in this country, it is that the rhetoric and fear that is happening is at an all time, escalated high,” she commented. ”And we’re all describing different aspects of it. Fear of law enforcement, fear of citizens, fear of people who are legally in this country.”
The congresswomen referenced DHS detainments that have occurred across the nation. She stated that following the “rule of law” consists of making arrests when there is “probable cause” to do so. “You can’t just snatch somebody walking into a coffee shop because of the color of their skin," she noted. "There’s no probable cause for that.”
Rep. Johnson condemned the administration itself, honing in on Secretary Noem and DHS operations. “The lack of respect and regard for the rule of law by this administration and in particular by this secretary is at a level that we have never seen and violates all of the constitutional norms and all of the principles of legal fairness in this country.”
Rep. Johnson represents Texas’s 32nd congressional district. However, earlier this week she announced that she is running for the newly redrawn 33rd congressional district. Former Rep. Colin Allred (D), who launched a senatorial bid earlier this year, dropped out of the race and announced his intention to run for the district.
Both democrats are gunning to displace incumbent Marc Veasey (D) in the upcoming elections. The primary election for this seat will take place March 3, 2026.
