Impeachment and Budget Leverage: Democrats Escalate DHS Accountability at Voto Latino Briefing
Washington, D.C – Following the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis that killed Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen and mother, Democratic congressional leaders escalated calls for accountability during a Voto Latino-hosted press briefing, outlining both impeachment proceedings and budgetary pressure as next steps to rein in the Department of Homeland Security.
Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) confirmed she will move forward with three articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, citing a pattern of misconduct that extends beyond a single incident.
“Secretary Noem lied to the American people about the killing of Renee Nicole Good and falsely labeled a mother as a domestic terrorist,” Rep. Kelly said. “This tragedy is part of a broader pattern of abuse, deception, and disregard for constitutional rights that cannot be ignored.”
Rep. Kelly announced the articles will include obstruction of justice, violation of public trust, and self-dealing, emphasizing that impeachment is necessary to reaffirm that no federal official is above the law.
At the same time, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) outlined how Senate Democrats are preparing to apply pressure through the upcoming DHS budget process, signaling that Democratic votes for funding will not come without accountability.
“If Republicans want Democratic votes to fund DHS, they should expect conditions. We are actively working on reforms that can be written into law — requiring warrants, ensuring officers are identified and properly trained, and limiting the use of border agencies for interior enforcement. These are basic guardrails, and we are prepared to use the budget process to demand them,” Rep. Murphy said.
Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) warned that the expanding scope of federal immigration enforcement has turned what began as isolated operations into a nationwide accountability crisis. He emphasized that the federal government’s actions now demand immediate oversight.
“We’ve seen these operations move from Los Angeles to Chicago, to North Carolina, to New Orleans, and now Minneapolis — and they will continue to move around the country,” Sen. Padilla said. “That means this is a collective call to action. Not just between now and November, but starting now — this weekend, every week, and every day in between. Accountability cannot wait.”
“It’s not shocking that the Trump administration rushed out a false narrative. They chose to lie, to deflect, to deny, and to deceive the American people to avoid accountability. This moment is about learning the truth — about what happened and about how we respond.”
María Teresa Kumar, President and Co-Founder of Voto Latino, said the killing in Minneapolis underscores a long-documented pattern of federal misconduct and made clear that Voto Latino will stand firmly behind Representative Robin Kelly and Democrats’ impeachment efforts to hold DHS leadership accountable.
“Under Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership, 2025 marked ICE’s deadliest year in two decades,” Kumar said. “More than 170 U.S. citizens have been arrested by ICE, and at least 32 people have died in ICE custody — and that’s without the cameras rolling. Secretary Noem has continued to embolden ICE agents and escalate enforcement policies in ways that inflict fear and harm.”
Kumar continued, “What happened yesterday is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader and deeply violent pattern that appears to be condoned — not condemned — from the very top of this administration. Secretary Noem has demonstrated a consistent disregard for constitutional rights and due process. That is why this summer, Voto Latino, alongside more than 75 national and local civil rights organizations, urged Congress to hold her accountable. Today, we reiterate that call clearly: Congress must begin impeachment proceedings against Secretary Noem immediately.”
Voto Latino will continue to stand with Renee Nicole Good’s family, Latino communities, organizers, and Members of Congress, to stop unchecked federal enforcement that puts lives at risk.
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Voto Latino is a civic advocacy organization dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of Latino voters while working to build a more inclusive and representative democracy. Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered nearly two million voters. In 2024, the organization took legal action to protect voting rights, filing multiple lawsuits in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina to safeguard access to the ballot ahead of the elections.