SAT . BREAKING: Democratic Lawmaker Exposes Kristi Noem’s False Claims on Veteran Deportations — Forces Face-to-Face Showdown With a Victim

The ease with which senior Trump officials lie to everyone, including Congress, was put on clear display during today’s hearing on the Department of Homeland Security’s abhorrent behavior and illegal practices.

Rep. Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island posed a very simple question to the DHS chief and fascist cosplayer:

“Madam Secretary, how many United States military veterans have you deported?”

Noem immediately launches into her usual lies, telling him “sir, we have not deported U.S. citizens or military veterans.”

Magaziner immediately exposes her lies to her face as an aide appears holding a tablet with a videocall playing.

“Madam Secretary, we are joined on Zoom by a gentleman named Sejoon Park. He is a United States Army combat veteran who was shot twice while serving our country in Panama in 1989.”

“Like many veterans, he struggled with PTSD and substance abuse after his service. He was arrested in the 1990s for some minor drug offenses, nothing serious. He never hurt anyone besides himself, and he’s been clean and sober for 14 years.”

“He is a combat veteran, a Purple Heart recipient. He has sacrificed more for this country than most people ever have. Earlier this year, you deported him to Korea, a country he hasn’t lived in since he was seven years old.”

“Will you join me in thanking Mr. Park for his service to our country?”

Noem uncomfortably says yes, and Magaziner gets her to agree to look into his case, reminding her that she has the power to make decisions and it’s her fault this man was deported. Noem then tries to launch into her usual spin before Magaziner cuts her off and forces her to face another victim of her cruelty

“Madam Secretary, the man behind you, please stand up, sir. His name is Jim Brown from Troy, Missouri. He is a Navy combat veteran who served our country in the Gulf War. He’s married to a woman named Donna, who came to our country legally from Ireland when she was 11 years old.”

“She has lived here for 48 years. Because of you, Jim’s wife Donna has been in prison for the last four months. She did not come here illegally.”

“And she has never committed any crime other than writing two bad checks totaling $80 10 years ago. She is currently in prison and facing deportation. Ms. Noem, will you thank Mr. Brown for his service to our country? Thank you, Mr. Brown, for your service to our country.”

“Now, what possible explanation can there be for locking up his wife for four months when she has committed no crime other than writing a couple of bad checks for $80?”

Noem weakly tries to argue that “sir, it is not my prerogative, my latitude, or my job to pick and choose which laws in this country” — before getting cut off again as Magaziner hammers her:

“You have broad discretion as the Secretary. You can issue parole. You can do all kinds of things, but you’re choosing not to.”

While this will certainly have no effect on Kristi Noem, a heartless woman who sold her soul to the devil in exchange for power and plastic surgery, America needs to see the truth of what Trump and his cronies are doing.

They are disregarding every rule, every law, and every basic tenet of morality and decency in the advancement of their efforts to purge non-white people from this country, and lying about it every step of the way. We cannot allow their lies to become reality. America needs to see it, and America needs to see Trump’s goons facing their lies head-on.