Rep. Panetta Statement Calling for Resignation, Removal, and Impeachment of Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller and DHS leadership

Washington, DC — Rep. Panetta released the following statement:

"The deadly shootings of people in communities across the country by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers reveal a failure in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and in this Administration. The horrific shooting death of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis was unnecessary, but predictable based on the unprofessionalism and lack of training that pervades the ranks of ICE and CBP.

"The recent deadly and violent incompetence that we've seen, stems from the rushed implementation by DHS of President Trump's deportation policy, that is created and driven by Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller. That massive immigration crackdown, along with the injection of $165 billion in funding for DHS from the purely partisan 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act', is not only growing the ranks of ICE and CBP officers but also pushing them through a reduced training program and pushing them away from the border and into urban and suburban settings across the nation.

"The ICE and CBP officers appear to be untrained for that environment, and unprofessional when it comes to confrontations with people and protestors. DHS Secretary Noem is responsible for implementing the Administration's deportation policy and the standards and oversight that govern ICE and CBP operations. However, based on reporting and what we've seen, it appears that the ranks of ICE and CBP are filled with substandard officers that are poorly trained, sheltered from the consequences of their actions, and empowered to behave recklessly and with impunity. Moreover, and as we experienced after the shooting in Minneapolis, the Administration, including President Trump, provides irresponsible defenses and explanations for this ineptitude, which appear to normalize brutality, violence, and lawlessness, rather than accountability and transparency. That is why I continue to call for accountability through a full independent investigation into the shootings of people by ICE and CBP officers, including what transpired in Minnesota.

"Moreover, as the architect and implementor of this overreaching, failed, and dangerous deportation policy that makes our communities less safe, Stephen Miller, as well as the DHS Secretary, must resign or be removed from their positions. If President Trump refuses to remove these individuals from his Administration, the House and Senate must act accordingly. I support impeachment proceedings based on the accountability investigation that is currently being conducted by the Committee on Homeland Security and being led by Democratic ranking member Bennie Thompson.  Such an investigation will lay out all of the facts upon which formal impeachment proceedings will rest.

"Congress must act now to restrain Steven Miller and DHS leadership and stop the recklessness and violence by ICE and CBP. Now more than ever, Democrats and Republicans in Congress must fulfill our Constitutional responsibilities by checking this executive branch to ensure transparency, accountability, and safety in our communities."