'Why are you in the job?' Former RNC chairman unleashes on Kristi Noem in MSNBC segment

20 May

Former Republican National Committee chairman and MSNBC host Michael Steele on MSNBC on May 20, 2025 (Image: Screengrab via MSNBC / YouTube)

During her Tuesday testimony before Congress, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem failed a lawmaker's basic question about whether she had knowledge of a core pillar of the Constitution. That exchange was apparently too much for former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele to handle.

After playing a clip of Noem erroneously arguing that habeas corpus was a power the Constitution delegated to the president of the United States, Steele corrected the record during a Tuesday segment on MSNBC's "The Weeknight."

"Habeas corpus. You have the body. It is the government taking someone and imprisoning them without due process," Steele said. "And that's what it prevents. That's what it's there for."

Co-host Alicia Melendez noted that the writ of habeas corpus "allows people to challenge their detention," with Steele adding that it was necessary "to make sure that the government is justified in taking people." His voice grew audibly louder as he exclaimed that "the Homeland Security secretary had no clue what it was as she's snatching bodies."

"That sounded like a rehearsed answer," co-host Symone Sanders-Townsend said. "You know, when you go into the hearings ... There's prep that the principals do. So someone either told her that or that's what she truly believes. Either way, it is ignorant and unacceptable."

Steele then opined that Noem's answer "feeds the beast behind the Resolute Desk," referring to President Donald Trump. He then directly challenged Noem to defend her continued presence at the top of DHS.

"Where, Kristi Noem, in the Constitution does the president have more power than the people?" He asked. "Come on. Why are you in the job?"

Watch Steele's remarks below, or by clicking this link.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

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