More than 70 civil society organizations, from civil rights leaders, interfaith groups, unions, and immigration advocates, sent a letter to congressional leaders on July 23 calling for an investigation into Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whom they accuse of violating civil rights. To date, Secretary Noem™s mistakes demonstrate a pattern of incompetence, disregard for constitutional protections, and conduct that directly endangers American citizens and legal residents, the letter, a copy of which this newspaper has, says. Under your direction, your department™s actions are eroding fundamental rights. The letter is addressed to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Republican; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat; to House Speaker Mike Johnson (Louisiana) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (New York).

Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic Minority Leader, responded to the letter calling for an investigation into Noem, in a statement sent to this newspaper.

In his statement, Schumer said: Secretary Noem has demonstrated a pattern of reckless behavior, legal ignorance, and stunning incompetence that has put Americans at risk, trampled on civil liberties, undermined the Constitution, and disgraced one of our government's most important departments.

“The "The role of a Secretary of Homeland Security is to safeguard the American people, acting as a protector of both their security and their rights; Secretary Noem's actions contradict that mission. Under her leadership, DHS has become a department defined not by safety and professional excellence, but by confusion, cruelty, and chaos," Schumer continued. He concluded: "Although I have requested thorough investigations, nonpartisan and comprehensive resolutions on Secretary Noem and DHS on several occasions this year, Republicans in both chambers have refused to act. It's time for Republicans to stand up for what's right, protect Americans and due process, and defend the Constitution."