Press Releases
Sheriff Clarke Has No Business Serving at DHS
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news reports of David Clarke’s potential appointment, without Senate confirmation, at the Department of Homeland Security Office of Public Engagement: “Although the Department of Homeland Security refuses to say if this selection has been made, it is very clear that Clarke has no business serving the American people, period. His tenure as Sheriff … Continue Reading
April 28, 2017
Homeland Insecurity: Trump’s Failed 100 Days
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement and infographic on the homeland security implications of President Trump’s first 100 days in office: “The number one job of the President and the executive branch is to keep our nation - and its people - safe and secure. However, the first 100 days of this Administration has been marked by a lack of strategy and a hodgepodge of ill-conceived policies … Continue Reading
April 26, 2017
DHS VOICE Office Perpetuates Fear of Immigrants
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security’s establishment of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement VOICE Office: “The establishment of this office sends a message that the Trump Administration is fixated on continuing to stir fear of immigrants while spreading myths about undocumented immigrants and crime. Looking at the facts, it is clear that there is … Continue Reading
April 25, 2017
Thompson Statement on Secret Service Director Appointment
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the appointment of Randolph D. “Tex” Alles as Director of the United States Secret Service: “With his experience in law enforcement, I hope Director Alles can continue to bring needed reform to the Secret Service that began in the previous Administration. After a busy campaign season and a change in administration, it is clear the Service’s … Continue Reading
April 05, 2017
Republicans Reject Russia Hack Investigation Resolution
(WASHINGTON) - Today, the House Committee on Homeland Security rejected a Resolution of Inquiry (H.Res 235) sponsored by Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and cosponsored by all Committee Democrats that would direct the Department of Homeland Security to provide the Committee with all information it possesses pertaining to Russia interfering with the 2016 Presidential election - including all information pertaining to Russia hacking of U.S. citizens and institutions last year. This … Continue Reading
March 30, 2017
Congressman Thompson Introduces Resolution of Inquiry to Push for Russia Investigation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced a Resolution of Inquiry directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide the Committee on Homeland Security with all information it possesses pertaining to Russia interfering with the 2016 Presidential election - including all information pertaining to Russia hacking U.S. citizens and institutions last year. This information could include any memos, … Continue Reading
March 16, 2017
Thompson Statement on the President’s FY2018 Budget Blueprint
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump’s budget blueprint for fiscal year 2018: “Democrats and Republicans agree: this ‘skinny’ budget is dead on arrival. President Trump's first budget is nothing more than a conservative fantasy to slash government with no rational justification. His budget highlights his obsession with mass deportations and building a border wall while … Continue Reading
March 15, 2017
AG Sessions Must Prioritize Election Hacking Investigation After Yahoo Indictments
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that the Justice Department announced the indictments of two Russian spies and two criminal hackers in connection with the 2014 hack of Yahoo. “Today’s Justice Department indictment of two Russian-government agents in the Kremlin’s cyber division is a watershed moment in our efforts to counter state-directed cyber hacking campaigns. Without … Continue Reading
March 13, 2017
Committee Dems Announce Terrorist Travel Task Force Members
(WASHINGTON) - Today the House Committee on Homeland Security Democrats announced the Democratic membership of the Committee’s Task Force on Denying Terrorists Entry into the United States. This temporary panel will begin work in March and will complete its work in September. Full Committee Vice Ranking Member Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) will serve as the Task Force Ranking Member. Ranking Member Watson Coleman, along with the Democratic Task Force members, also sent a letter to Task Force … Continue Reading
March 08, 2017
Slashing Coast Guard, FEMA, TSA to Fund Wall Makes Country Less Secure
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news reports that the White House intends to cut the budgets of the Coast Guard, TSA, and FEMA to pay for the President’s misguided immigration policies: “The Trump Administration’s misplaced budget priorities show us it is more concerned with keeping Trump’s campaign promises than keeping America safe and secure. Subjecting the Coast Guard, TSA, … Continue Reading
March 06, 2017
Thompson Statement on Second Muslim & Refugee Ban
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump’s new refugee and Muslim ban: "This new Muslim travel ban is just like the old: it discriminates against individuals from Muslim-majority countries and closes the door on vulnerable refugees fleeing violence and persecution around the world. Simply put, it flies in the face of our Nation's values and history. While this Executive … Continue Reading
March 04, 2017
Separating Children & Mothers Does Nothing to Keep Us Safe, Defies Family Values
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news reports that the Trump Administration and the Department of Homeland Security are considering proposals to separate women and children at the border. "It's crystal clear: Trump's immigration policies have nothing to do with keeping the country safe. Trump is about keeping out people he doesn't like while stoking xenophobia and racism. Now we … Continue Reading
March 02, 2017
Thompson Statement on Jackson Mississippi DREAMer
2017 (WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on Daniela Vargas, a DACA recipient from Jackson Mississippi. Congressman Thompson represents Jackson in the U.S. House of Representatives. "Our country must have immigration policies that are constitutional and remain true to our values. Ms. Vargas appears to have committed no crime and was only speaking out on behalf of her family, who is … Continue Reading
March 02, 2017
Thompson: Sessions Must Resign, Be Nowhere Near Investigation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the need for an independent commission to investigate all Administration and campaign ties to Russia. “As news reports continue to trickle in on this Administration’s shady cast of characters, the country realizes what Coretta Scott King always knew: that Jeff Sessions cannot be trusted with the humble … Continue Reading
March 01, 2017
New DHS Office Will Perpetuate Trump’s Myths About Immigrants & Crime
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump’s joint address to Congress and his creation of an office using Department of Homeland Security resources to stoke xenophobic fears about immigrants and crime. “It is clear from his address last night that President Trump is still fixated on spreading myths about immigrants and crime. When looking at actual statistics - facts … Continue Reading
February 21, 2017
Thompson Statement on Administration Plans for Mass Deportation
(WASHINGTON) - Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the immigration enforcement memos released by the Department of Homeland Security today: “The memos DHS released today show that the Trump Administration is more concerned with attempting to fulfill misguided campaign promises than doing what is best for the safety and security of the country. Campaign season is over. This Administration must face the … Continue Reading
February 17, 2017
Conyers & Thompson Condemn Reports of Trump's Military Deportation Force
(WASHINGTON) - House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), today released the following joint statement in response to reports that President Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security had plans to use the National Guard to round up and deport undocumented immigrants: “This draft memo shows the depths that Donald Trump will go to implement his callous “deportation force” and instill … Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on ICE Raids
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after meeting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the apparent ramp up of apprehension raids: “It is obvious that the ICE raids over the past week represent a drastic change in policy. If the Administration was truly concerned with keeping the country safe, it would focus ICE’s resources on getting dangerous criminals off the streets and … Continue Reading
February 15, 2017
GAO High-Risk List: DHS Showing Improvement
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) high-risk list (GAO-17-317). Every two years, GAO releases a report to call attention to government agencies and program areas that are high-risk due to their vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or are most in need of transformation. "I am pleased to see that GAO has found that … Continue Reading
February 14, 2017
Thompson Statement on the Resignation of National Security Advisor Flynn
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the resignation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn: “The resignation of Michael Flynn is welcome news but provides no answers as to the Trump Administration's apparent ties to Russia. It's clear from reporting that President Trump knew of Flynn's potential conflicts and ties to Russia in January and failed to act. Flynn should have never … Continue Reading