Noem optimistic Laken Riley would still be alive if she were DHS secretary, as freshman senator rips Mayorkas

In a fiery exchange during her confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Freshman GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno wasted no time in ripping into the Biden administration’s immigration policies. Sitting in front of the committee as President-elect Trump’s DHS secretary nominee Kristi Noem, Moreno grilled her on various aspects of the administration’s approach to immigration.

One of the key moments of the hearing came when Moreno brought up the tragic case of Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student who was murdered by an illegal immigrant last year. Moreno pointed out that Riley would still be alive today if Noem had been the secretary of Homeland Security at the time. Noem responded by expressing her hope that she could have prevented such a tragedy.

Throughout the hearing, Moreno focused on comparing Noem to current DHS Secretary Mayorkas, questioning her on how she would handle issues such as allowing individuals on the terror watch list into the country. Noem made it clear that her goal would be to ensure that no individuals on the terror watch list would be allowed into the United States under her watch.

Moreno also pressed Noem on the number of murderers, rapists, and migrants with criminal convictions that Mayorkas had allowed into the country, asking her how many she would target to let in. Noem consistently responded that her aim would be to prevent any such individuals from entering the country.

In a particularly pointed moment, Moreno brought up the practice of flying hundreds of thousands of migrants into the United States on jets and housing illegal immigrants in luxury hotel rooms in Manhattan at a cost of $6,000 per month. Noem assured Moreno that such practices would come to an end under her leadership.

As the hearing drew to a close, Moreno issued a challenge to the Democrat Party, highlighting the importance of Noem’s confirmation and urging all senators to support her appointment as secretary of Homeland Security. He emphasized the need for bipartisan efforts to secure the country and protect its citizens.

Overall, Moreno’s line of questioning and critique of the Biden administration’s immigration policies made for a tense and impactful hearing. Noem’s responses indicated a strong commitment to tightening border security and preventing criminals from entering the country. The confirmation vote will be a crucial test of bipartisan cooperation in addressing the pressing issue of immigration.