Kristi Noem Struggled to Define Habeas Corpus as Senate Dems Pushed Her on DHS Budget

Democrats have previously had difficulty finding their footing when attacking the Trump administration on immigration.

Kristi Noem
Francis Chung/POLITICO/AP

Senate Democrats aggressively questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Tuesday, presenting a more united front than they mustered in earlier oversight hearings.

House Democrats didn’t present much coordinated resistance in several high-profile hearings with cabinet officials earlier this month, as party officials grappled with how best to push back against the Trump administration and frustrated constituents demanded Democrats do more.

Noem got off relatively easy then, but her experience facing the Senate on Tuesday was quite different. After months of attempts, Democrats may have found their footing on how to approach an issue Republicans have hammered them on for years.