Democrats are notorious for pulling cheap stunts during Congressional hearings, something we saw a lot of during President Trump's first term in office, and then during Joe Biden's sole term.
They have, of course, continued it in Trump's second term, something we saw on Tuesday during the Senate Judiciary Department of Homeland Security Oversight Hearing, where DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was set to testify on her department's work over the last year, the threats they've faced, and her leadership role amid the Democrat-led shutdown that has impacted DHS.
"From my perspective, I believe immigration enforcement and dignity aren’t mutually exclusive," committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said in his opening statement. "Secretary Noem, I look forward to hearing how you’re addressing these important issues, while continuing the department’s mission."
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During the hearing, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) announced three U.S. citizens who were in attendance, whom he said had been "wrongfully arrested" by DHS during the course of immigration enforcement operations. He asked them to stand up as he was questioning Noem:
Sen. BLUMENTHAL: Have you met with any citizens arrested and detained by DHS?
— Senate Judiciary Democrats 🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryDems) March 3, 2026
Noem: *dodges*
Blumenthal: I’d like to introduce you to three individuals who were wrongfully arrested by your department.
Detained citizens: *stand*
Blumenthal: U.S. citizens shouldn't be arrested. pic.twitter.com/WRklMeaQkz
This did not sit well with Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO), who proceeded to note there were victims of illegal immigrants whom he wished he could ask to stand up during the hearing, too. “But they can’t, because they’re dead. They were murdered by illegal immigrants let into this country by Joe Biden," Schmitt pointed out:
NEW: After Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT) asks for people who claim they were abused by ICE to stand up in hearing room, Sen. @Eric_Schmitt (R-MO) counters, saying he would like to ask Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, etc to stand…
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) March 3, 2026
“But they can’t, because they’re dead. They were…
Schmitt then gave a detailed history of what happened at the border and the "tragedies that ensued" as a result of Biden's disastrous open borders policy that saw millions of illegal immigrants cross our borders because Democrats wanted to inflate the numbers in their congressional districts since they had "lost their case with the American people."
"We're not doing [mass amnesty]. Mass deportations will continue. Thank God we frontloaded the money for ICE," Schmitt emphatically stated.
Watch:
TRUTH NUKE: Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) *DESTROYS* Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) after he had alleged ICE abuse victims stand: “I would have Laken Riley stand up. I would have Kayla Hamilton stand up. I would have Jocelyn Nungaray stand up. I would have Rachel Morin stand up… but… pic.twitter.com/xXRPBwekav
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) March 3, 2026
The numbers show that, as far as illegal immigration goes, despite all the smear campaigns against DHS and ICE and the operations in places like Los Angeles and Minneapolis, and the stunts pulled by Democrats, Republicans are still more trusted on this issue far more than Democrats.
As we previously reported, CNN data guru Harry Enten talked a week ago about how this was unlikely to be the political winner Democrats thought it would be ahead of the 2026 midterms.
"Democrats running on immigration may actually be to the Republicans' advantage," Enten observed. "This is actually an issue that Republicans should be more comfortable running on than Democrats.”
Editor’s Note: ICE and CBP continue to put themselves in harm's way in order to protect America’s sovereignty and to keep our streets safe.
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