Committee tables motion to subpoena DHS secretary after she leaves hearing early

WASHINGTON — The House Homeland Security Committee on Dec. 11 debated and tabled a motion to subpoena Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after she left the hearing before the scheduled finish.

Ranking Member Thompson moved to subpoena Noem, saying the secretary had "abandoned her duty to testify" and that members had been denied needed answers. "Secretary Noem did not even want to appear at all today," Thompson said as he offered the motion.

Committee leadership allowed debate. Members on both sides aired sharp complaints: some Democrats said Noem repeatedly failed to answer letters and had left during critical questioning; some Republicans defended her record and said the hearing had mostly affirmed improved border security.

A separate motion to table the subpoena was put to a recorded vote and was agreed to, with the committee announcing a tally of 13 ayes and 12 noes. The clerk read the roll call for the record after the voice vote; the committee agreed to hold the hearing record open for 10 days and requested written follow-up from witnesses before taking further action.

Outcome and next steps: The subpoena motion was not enforced because the motion to table prevailed. Committee staff signaled they will collect written responses and documents within the 10-day window; members retained the option to pursue additional oversight or requests if answers prove insufficient.