JCPA statement on Kristi Noem’s departure from the Department of Homeland Security

Today, President Trump fired Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, informing the American people that he intended to nominate Oklahoma senator Markwayne Mullin in her place as the new secretary. In response, JCPA released the following statement:

“While we know Secretary Noem directly oversaw so many of the dangerous policies coming out of DHS, we should be clear: this transition does not actually address the fundamental issues at hand.

“The Department has militarized immigration enforcement, rooted in dehumanizing and dangerous conspiracy theories and leading to the killing of innocent civilians and the repeated violation of our laws.

“It has held up vital security funding for synagogues and other institutions via the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), while politicizing the program through unrelated conditions that force communities to choose between their safety and their values.

“The list goes on. No matter who leads DHS, Congress has a fundamental responsibility to use its funding and oversight authorities to ensure real accountability and transparency.”