Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem appeared before the House Committee on Homeland Security on Wednesday, where she was grilled by various Democratic members of the body.
Rolling Stone reported that Noem was confronted over multiple scandals that took place under her leadership at the helm of DHS, including her withholding of money appropriated by Congress, the ongoing detention of Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador in defiance of multiple court orders and her refusal to acknowledge that a doctored photo was used to justify Abrego Garcia's deportation, among others.
Here are five of the most explosive moments from the hearing:
READ MORE: 'Rip the plane apart': Trump's hopes of flying in Qatar's royal jet just hit a major snag
1. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) confronting Noem over federal funding
During her questioning of Noem, Ramirez largely stuck to yes-or-no questions — particularly when asking Noem if she knew that Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution gave Congress the "power of the purse" to determine how money is spent. After Noem admitted that she was aware of the clause, Ramirez asked her if she swore an oath to "support and defend" the Constitution, to which Noem responded affirmatively. Then, Ramirez took the DHS secretary to task for her withholding of DHS funding duly appropriated by Congress.
"I find that laughable. You don't behave like someone who takes that oath seriously," Ramirez said. "We don't live in a dictatorship or a monarchy. Trump's will is not the guiding doctrine of this nation. And our country is not a playground for his or your twisted authoritarian fantasies. We are a democracy, We defend the Constitution and we affirm the rule of law. We respect the co-equal branches of government and we uphold our rights – even when we disagree.
You, however, have been leading this work for 116 days. And in that time, you have profiled and dehumanized our neighbors, you have betrayed our Constitutional commitment to due process, you have deported United States citizens, you've undermined the courts, ,you've broken the law, you've engaged in corruption, and you've weaponized the immigration system to violate civil rights," she added. "Your department is out of control."
READ MORE: 'Stop the session': Republican wakes up colleague after he falls asleep before key vote
2. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) telling Noem to "be quiet"
Noem was repeatedly hammered over her handling of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's case during Goldman's time for questioning. The New York Democrat quickly grew impatient with the Noem after she refused to give direct answers and talked over him while he questioned her."Will you give Mr. Abrego Garcia the due process that the Supreme Court and Judge [J. Harvie] Wilkinson has required you to give him?" Goldman asked.
"Abrego Garcia is an El Salvador resident who is in home country," Noem insisted. "He has been received and treated appropriately—"
"How can you say he's been treated appropriately if the Supreme Court has ruled nine-nothing – nine nothing — that he hasn't been treated appropriately?" Goldman interjected. "Why is your opinion better, have more authority than the Supreme Court?"
READ MORE: (Opinion) The single stupidest statement about Trump ever made
Noem pushed back: "If you don't trust our law enforcement—"
"That is you making that determination," Goldman thundered. "The court has considered all that. The judges considered all that, Madam Secretary. And if you would be quiet, because I'm reclaiming my time, you are not following this court order."
3. Rep. Bennie Thompson's (D-Miss.) quip about Noem's "photo ops"
Thompson, who is the ranking member of the committee, also questioned Noem about her handling of Congressionally appropriated funds. But he began his remarks by making a dig at Noem's ostentatious public displays for social media.
READ MORE: Trump slammed for 'attack against anyone who has ever loved someone with cancer
"Whatever got you here, Secretary Noem, I'm glad you found time among your many photo-ops and costume changes to testify about why Trump is seeking more taxpayer dollars and what you plan to do with that money if you get it," Thompson said.
4. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) slamming Noem's "costumes"
Eric Swalwell had several confrontations with Noem in his time for questioning. In one viral moment, the California Democrat distinguished himself from the Homeland Security secretary by pointing out that during his time in public service, he always upheld the rule of law.
"I’m a former prosecutor. I have put people away for life sentences who are gang members," he said. "I don’t need to wear costumes to show how tough I am. What makes me different from you is when I put those people away, I did it with the weight of the law behind me."
READ MORE: Trump biographer reveals 'head-smacking' detail about Trump and Melania's marriage
5. Swalwell repeatedly asking Noem to acknowledge an altered photo
Swalwell also went back and forth with Noem about a doctored photo that President Donald Trump held up that purportedly showed Kilmar Abrego Garcia's knuckles with "MS-13." The photo was found to be faked after being compared with the photo of Abrego Garcia meeting with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in El Salvador, where the supposed gang affiliation on his knuckles was absent.
"Madam Secretary, I want you to have credibility, and I want you to be taken seriously," Swalwell said. "Is this doctored or is this not doctored?"
"One thing that's important to remember is that every time a case is built—" Noem said, before Swalwell cut her off.
READ MORE: A federal judge just turned up the pressure on the Supreme Court
"—Madam Secretary, I have a seven year-old, a six year-old and a three year-old," Swalwell said. "I have a b------t detector. I'm just asking you, is this doctored or not doctored?"