Gov. Pritzker Presses on Kristi Noem’s Dog Days of Leadership Following Lack of Answers
While Kristi Noem side-steps answers, Illinois will continue to pursue accountability
March 4, 2026
CHICAGO - Today, in the United States Senate Judiciary Committee, Democrats and Republicans alike pressed Secretary Kristi Noem on her failure to uphold a core responsibility of the the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security: protecting the American people. Following a nearly five-hour-long hearing, here are questions Secretary Noem failed to answer:
- When Senator Durbin (D-IL) asked if Noem retracts her statements labeling Chicago school teacher Marimar Martinez, Renee Good, and Alex Pretti domestic terrorists, she refused. Good and Pretti were killed, while Martinez was shot five times and had no charges brought against her.
- When Senator Tillis (R-NC) raised the investigation efforts of her agency into cases where federal agents shot people, she didn’t respond — prompting Senator Tillis to emphasize how she was ok with killing both her own dog and U.S. citizens.
- When Senator Kennedy (R-LA) asked why she blamed her domestic terrorist comments on Stephen Miller, she denied doing so again. Senator Kennedy proceeded to read the statement that Kristi Noem had provided on the record contradicting her own testimony. Senator Kennedy noted Noem’s incompetence, called DHS a disaster under her leadership, and called for her resignation.
“From excessive uses of force near homes, schools, and hospitals to tear gassing entire neighborhoods, Kristi Noem oversaw the use of military-style tactics against our own citizens and neighbors,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It is long past time she steps down from her role, but we cannot ever let that excuse her from justice or accountability. Illinois will continue demanding answers and exposing the unacceptable conduct harming Americans that happened on her watch.”
Earlier this year Governor Pritzker set up the Illinois Accountability Commission (IAC), to be an independent board tasked with capturing and creating a public record of the conduct of federal law enforcement agents and recommending actions to hold the federal government accountable as they continue conducting military-style operations in Chicago, collar counties, and other areas throughout the state.
Governor Pritzker also requested that the Illinois Accountability Commission (IAC) examine the impact of the conduct and decisions that Trump Administration officials, including Kristi Noem, made in relation to Operation Midway Blitz.
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