Kristi Noem WALKS OUT of Hearing during CROSS-EXAM

Summary

---

The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Kristi Noem WALKS OUT of Hearing during CROSS-EXAM

Release Date: December 11, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)

---

Episode Overview

This episode centers on South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s bombshell testimony before the House of Representatives, where she was harshly cross-examined by several Democratic Congress members. The main focus is Democratic Rep. Seth Magaziner’s withering line of questioning, which exposed the administration’s controversial deportations of veterans and families, as well as Noem repeatedly dodging accountability and ultimately walking out of the hearing, sparking heckles. The brothers break down the most impactful exchanges, adding their signature blend of sharp analysis and relatable humor.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Democratic Cross-Examination of Kristi Noem

• Seth Magaziner’s Master Class (00:48 – 04:42)

  • Rep. Magaziner confronts Noem about deporting military veterans, spotlighting the case of Se Jun Park and Jim Brown’s wife, Donna.
  • Noem is repeatedly pressed on her discretionary power to help, but deflects or gives only half-commitments.
  • Quote [Seth Magaziner, 01:34]:
    “Madam Secretary, how many United States military veterans have you deported?”
  • Magaziner highlights the human cost of deportations, framing Noem's responses as evasive and uncaring toward those who served the country.
  • Quote [Kristi Noem, 02:41]:
    “Sir, I’m grateful for every single person that has served our country and follows our laws.”
  • Magaziner notes Noem has broad authority for humanitarian exceptions, but she refuses a clear commitment.
  • Quote [Seth Magaziner, 04:03]:
    “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?”

• Other Notable Cross-Examinations:

  • Congresswoman McIver challenges Noem, highlighting disrespect and lack of cooperation ([04:47 – 05:16]).

  • Quote [McIver, 04:47]:
    “If you stop talking, you’ll listen to my questions. Crazy. Do you agree that using DHS resources to target members of Congress is an abuse of power?”

  • Dan Goldman presses Noem on the legal status of asylum seekers, catching her in legal contradictions ([05:40 – 07:55]).

  • Quote [Goldman, 05:53]:
    “Do you agree that asylum is a lawful pathway to immigrate to this country? Yes or no?”

  • Goldman's persistent questioning leads to Noem evading and not directly answering on whether her department is violating the law by deporting those with pending asylum cases.

  • Quote [Goldman, 06:46]:
    “Why are you filibustering? Why can’t you answer the question? It’s a simple question.”

  • Goldman sums up (07:07):
    “If you have an open asylum case, you are here lawfully. But the problem… is that you are not following the law… Unfortunately, that is exactly what’s happening.”

2. Kristi Noem Walks Out: The Aftermath (07:55 – 08:51)

• As pressure mounts, Noem abruptly claims to have “other commitments” (FEMA meeting) and leaves early.
• The audience heckles her as she exits.
• Quote [Narrator/Host, 08:23]:
  “And here she was heckled on the way out. Let’s play it.”

3. Bonus: Benny Thompson and Antifa Testimony (11:11 – 13:52)

• The hosts highlight a separate House hearing where Rep. Benny Thompson cross-examines an FBI official about the so-called “Antifa threat.”
• The official is unable to specify Antifa’s headquarters or membership, undermining Republican claims.
• Quote [Goldman, 12:27]:
  “So where is the Antifa headquarters?”
• Quote [Thompson, 13:05]:
  “Well, that’s very fluid. It’s ongoing… For us to understand that the same, no different than Al Qaeda and ISIS.”
• The questioning exposes the lack of substance behind claims that Antifa is America’s biggest domestic terrorist threat.

4. Congresswoman Ramirez Compiles Evidence Against Noem (14:16 – 16:51)

• Ramirez methodically lays out facts showing Noem’s department has detained US citizens and ignored court orders.
• Ramirez introduces ProPublica and NBC News reporting as official record.
• Quote [Ramirez, 14:54]:
  “Secretary Noem, again, you lied to the American people… ICE has arrested nearly 75,000 people with no criminal records.”
• Noem admits all deportation decisions at DHS are hers, then contradicts earlier claims of compliance.
• Quote [Ramirez, 16:10]:
  “You lied on the record and you lied to members of this committee. You violated court orders by not turning around deportation flights…”

5. Brothers React, Expose DHS Propaganda

• The hosts condemn DHS’s “cuffing season” videos targeting migrants, which used pop star Sabrina Carpenter’s music without permission.
• Host, 18:38:
  “...the Trump regime attacked Sabrina Carpenter, the pop star. And then Sabrina Carpenter got like 138 million views to her post. So then the Trump regime took it down because they were humiliated by a pop star.”
• California Governor Newsom’s viral counter-response (Trump allies depicted in “cuffing season” montage) is lauded.
• Episode closes highlighting the bravery of witnesses and the need for continued resistance and oversight.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Seth Magaziner, 01:34:
  “Madam Secretary, how many United States military veterans have you deported?”
• Kristi Noem, 02:41:
  “Sir, I’m grateful for every single person that has served our country and follows our laws.”
• Dan Goldman, 05:53:
  “Do you agree that asylum is a lawful pathway to immigrate to this country? Yes or no?”
• Congresswoman Ramirez, 14:54:
  “Secretary Noem, again, you lied to the American people.”
• Host, 18:38:
  “...the Trump regime attacked Sabrina Carpenter, the pop star. And then Sabrina Carpenter got like 138 million views to her post. So then the Trump regime took it down because they were humiliated by a pop star.”

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:48 – Ben tees up Magaziner's devastating cross-examination
• 01:28 – Magaziner begins; Se Jun Park’s case
• 03:14 – Jim Brown & Donna’s deportation battle
• 04:47 – Congresswoman McIver confronts Noem on DHS abuses
• 05:44 – Dan Goldman catches Noem on asylum law
• 07:55 – Noem leaves the hearing, is heckled
• 11:11 – Benny Thompson grills FBI on Antifa
• 14:16 – Ramirez’s evidence montage: citizens detained, ignored court orders
• 16:10 – Direct accusation of lying; ICE flights to El Salvador
• 18:38 – Recap of DHS’s failed migrant propaganda, Sabrina Carpenter episode
• 19:00+ – Meidas brothers’ reactions, closing commentary

---

Summary Flow & Tone

The episode features rapid-fire recaps, sharp and often incredulous commentary, and clip analysis—punctuated by the hosts' trademark brotherly banter. The tone is direct, irreverent, pro-democracy, and empathetic to those targeted by DHS policies under Noem. The brothers highlight how skilled questioning by Democratic members exposed both legal vulnerabilities in Noem’s department and personal failures to support the country’s most vulnerable.

---

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode slices through the noise: if you want to understand the scope of Kristi Noem’s controversial testimony, who she was up against, and why her walkout resonated as a watershed political moment, this summary covers the essential exchanges, memorable lines, and context—all through the urgent, passionate lens of the MeidasTouch crew.

---

Transcript

[Congressman]

The holidays mean more travel, more shopping.

[Narrator/Host]

More time online, and more personal info.

[Congressman]

In more places that could expose you.

[Narrator/Host]

More to identity theft. But LifeLock monitors millions of data points per second.

[Congressman]

If your identity is stolen, our US.

[Narrator/Host]

Based restoration specialists will fix it, guaranteed your money back. Don't face drained accounts, fraudulent loans or financial losses alone. Get more holiday fun and less holiday worry with LifeLock. Save up to 40% your first year.

[Congressman]

Visit LifeLock.com podcast terms apply whether you're.

[Kristi Noem]

Into unsolved mysteries, solved mysteries, or creating your own mysteries, Amazon Music's got millions of podcast episodes waiting. Just download the Amazon Music app and start listening to your favorite podcasts ad free included with Prime Kristi Noem was.

[Narrator/Host]

Just cross examined at a House of Representative hearing by Democrats who put on a master class. Kristi Noem was stunned. She was largely frozen. And then she said she had to leave the hearing early because she had other commitments. She then walked out and was heckled by people in the crowd as she left. Now, leading the incredible cross examination was Democratic Congress member Seth Magaziner from Rhode Island. This is one of the best line of questioning I've ever seen as a trial lawyer, I might add. So let me show you what Magaziner did right here. It was absolutely brilliant. Here, play this clip.

[Democratic Congress member Seth Magaziner]

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

[Kristi Noem]

Sir, we have not deported U.S. citizens or military veterans.

[Democratic Congress member Seth Magaziner]

I don't believe you've served in the military. I haven't either. But I think you and I can agree that as Americans, we owe everything to those who have served our country in uniform, particularly those who have served in combat. Do you agree with that?

[Kristi Noem]

Sir, I believe that people that are in this United States, that are citizens, have legal status here.

[Democratic Congress member Seth Magaziner]

Those Madam Secretary, we are joined on zoom by a gentleman named Se Jun 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?

[Kristi Noem]

Sir, I'm grateful for every single person that has served our country and follows our laws.

[Democratic Congress member Seth Magaziner]

Can you please tell Mr. Park, why you deported him.

[Kristi Noem]

Every one of them needs to be enforced.

[Democratic Congress member Seth Magaziner]

But you understand that many veterans struggle with ptsd. Many veterans struggle with substance abuse challenges. This man took two bullets for our country. Will you. You have broad authority, by the way, as secretary to issue humanitarian parole, to. To do deferred action. Will you commit to at least looking at Mr. Park's case to see if you can help him find a pathway back to this country that he sacrificed so much for?

[Kristi Noem]

I will absolutely look at his case. But I want you to remember, Madam.

[Democratic Congress member Seth Magaziner]

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 ten years ago. She is currently in prison and facing deportation. Ms. Noem, will you thank Mr. Brown for his service to our country?

[Kristi Noem]

Thank you, Mr. Brown, for your service to our.

[Democratic Congress member Seth Magaziner]

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?

[Kristi Noem]

Sir, it is not my prerogative, my latitude, or my job to pick and choose which laws in this country get in.

[Democratic Congress member Seth Magaziner]

You have broad discretion as the secretary. You can follow issue. You can do all kinds of things, but you're choosing not to. Will you commit again to just reviewing Donna's case and reuniting this combat veteran with his beloved wife who also loves this country?

[Kristi Noem]

I will review the case.

[Narrator/Host]

Then you had Congresswoman McIver cross examining Kristi Noem, and then Kristi Noem just tried to yell and talk over her. Here. Watch what took place. Let's play it.

[Kristi Noem]

Thank you. Secretary Noem, do you agree that using DHS resources to target members of Congress is an abuse of power? Excuse me. Would you say that you would have heard me. If you stop talking, you listen to my questions. Crazy. Do you agree that using DHS resources to target members of Congress is an abuse of power? We are not doing that. We are out there enforcing the law, doing our work, and we are allowing. Over. Of course, we're not going to get anything with that. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.

[Narrator/Host]

Gentle lady yields back.

[Congressman]

I now recognize a gentleman from Oklahoma.

[Narrator/Host]

Mr. McCarthy, keen for five minutes of questions. Next, I'll show you Democratic Congress member Dan Goldman cross examining Christy Noem and getting her to essentially admit that what she was doing by going after people who are going through the asylum process is patently unlawful. Here, play this clip to the five minutes.

[Democratic Congress member Dan Goldman]

I'm.

[Congressman]

I'm sorry, but gentlemen from New York is now recognized.

[Narrator/Host]

Mr. Goldman, for five minutes.

[Congressman]

Secretary Noem, let's talk about the law. Do you agree that asylum is a lawful pathway to immigrate to this country? Yes or no?

[Kristi Noem]

There's an asylum program. Yes. In place.

[Congressman]

All right, so immigrants then, with ongoing asylum applications are legally in this country.

[Democratic Congress member Dan Goldman]

Correct.

[Kristi Noem]

Excuse me? I'm sorry.

[Congressman]

Your question was immigrants with ongoing asylum applications are legally in this country.

[Kristi Noem]

There are individuals in this country that have applications that.

[Congressman]

And they are legally here because it's a lawful pathway. Right?

[Kristi Noem]

It's a lawful platform.

[Congressman]

Okay, so if your department then deports anyone with an ongoing asylum application, you are violating the law, correct?

[Kristi Noem]

Joe Biden left us.

[Congressman]

I'm not asking about Joe Biden. I'm asking you a specific question. If your department deports anyone with an ongoing asylum application, you are violating the law. Is that correct?

[Kristi Noem]

It was greatly violated when they allowed.

[Congressman]

I'm asking you people to come.

[Kristi Noem]

I'm asking you asylum applicants.

[Congressman]

Why are you filibustering? Why can't you answer the question? It's a simple question.

[Kristi Noem]

Your president.

[Congressman]

If your department.

[Kristi Noem]

Your second.

[Congressman]

Deports anyone with an ongoing asylum application, you are violating the law. Isn't that correct?

[Kristi Noem]

The asylum program was broken under the chairman.

[Congressman]

I will reclaim my time. She's not answering the question.

[Narrator/Host]

And.

[Congressman]

But the obvious answer is that, yes, if you follow a lawful pathway, asylum is a lawful pathway. If you have an open asylum case, you are here lawfully. But the problem that we are seeing around the country is that you are not following the law. Don't tell us to change the law. If you don't like the asylum system, you change the asylum law. Bring it to us. We'll work with you. I think it needs to be changed. But you can't just decide that you're not going to follow the law and asylum is a law and deport people who have ongoing applications. Unfortunately, that is exactly what's happening. It's happening across the street from my office, right in New York City.

[Narrator/Host]

And then Kristi Noem said, I gotta go. I'm out. I actually have other commitments to be at, so I'm going to have to leave this hearing a little bit early. Here. Play this clip.

[Kristi Noem]

Dollars immediately. And we're responding immediately to our people. I have to actually leave this hearing early because the FEMA review council is giving their report today on suggestions for changes to fema.

[Narrator/Host]

Thank you for not taking your foot.

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

Off the gas station.

[Kristi Noem]

I have to coach her but I will be leaving soon to have to go do that. But those.

[Narrator/Host]

And here she was heckled on the way out. Let's play it. Recognize a gentle lady from Texas.

[Congressman]

Ms. Johnson, for five minutes of questions.

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

I'm just going to take the position.

[Kristi Noem]

She was scared of my questions.

Mr.

[Narrator/Host]

Chair, if we could stop the clock. Oh yes. Until after all this clerk will suspend.

We could reset the time.

[Kristi Noem]

That would be helpful.

[Narrator/Host]

We'll reset the clock.

Gentle lady prepared.

School.

[Congressman]

Okay.

[Democratic Congress member Seth Magaziner]

Thank you. Yeah.

[Kristi Noem]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

You hear that? That's the sound of my new holiday tradition. I've got the holiday Olipop can right here. Yep, the one with the yetis on it. And let me tell you, this is the soda lover's dream. I grew up obsessed with soda. Not gonna lie about it. But let's be real. Traditional soda is basically liquid sugar. Now there's a new kind of soda that actually tastes like the classics and is good for you. Olipop combines the familiar soda flavor with a functional ingredient blend to support digestive health. These holiday cans, they are back this year with Ollie and Pop, the Yetis. And they've even added a third limited edition flavor, Crisp apple. I love the crisp apple. I am addicted to the crisp Apple. And all three festive flavors are less than 50 calories with just 2 to 5 grams of sugar and up to 9 grams of fiber to support your gut health. That's right, the nostalgia and the fib your microbiome will thank you for bring the yetis home from almost anywhere. Olipop is sold online and available in nearly 50,000 retailers nationwide, including Costco, Target, Publix, Whole Foods, Kroger, H E B, Walmart, you name it. Buy any two cans of Olipop in store and they will pay you back for one. It works on any flavor, any retailer, including the yeti limited edition cans. Go to drinkolipop.com midas that's drinkolipop.com midas drinkolysis.

[Narrator/Host]

There was another hearing taking place. So once I was able to stop watching the Christy Noem hearing because that was done, I then tuned in to see Benny Thompson cross examining one of Donald Trump's FBI goons about antifa. Because the MAGA Republicans in this other House of Representatives hearing were saying the biggest terrorist threat is an tifa. So Benny Thompson, Congressman Thompson, Democrat. He had the best line of questioning is like, where's Antifa located? Where's their headquarters? How many people are part of it? You're the head of the FBI as it relates to Antifa. Tell us. And watch this guy crumble under Thompson's cross examination. Play this clip.

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

Executive order. Domestic terrorist organization, Antifa, that's our primary concern right now.

[Democratic Congress member Dan Goldman]

All right. That's what President Trump did. What did the FBI say?

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

We share the same view. When you look at the data right now, you look at the domestic terrorist threat that we're facing right now, what I see from my position is that's the most immediate violent threat that we are facing on the domestic side.

[Democratic Congress member Dan Goldman]

So where is the Antifa headquarters?

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

What we're doing right now with the.

[Democratic Congress member Dan Goldman]

Organization, where in the United States does ANTIFA exist? If it's a terrorist organization and you've identified it as number one, we are.

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

Building out the infrastructure right now.

[Democratic Congress member Dan Goldman]

So what does that mean?

I'm just, we trying to get the information. You say Antifa is a terrorist organization.

Tell us as a committee, how did you come to that? Where do they exist? How many members do they have in the United States as of right now?

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

Well, that's very fluid. It's ongoing. For us to understand that the same, no different than Al Qaeda and isis.

[Democratic Congress member Dan Goldman]

No, no, I don't want you. I'll ask one question, sir. I just want you to tell us if you said Antifa is the number one domestic terrorist organization operating in the United States. I just need to know where they are. How many people? I don't want a name. I don't want anything like that. Just how many people have you identified with the FBI that Antifa is made of?

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

Well, the investigations are active.

[Democratic Congress member Dan Goldman]

Sir, you wouldn't come to this committee and say something you can't prove. I know, I know you wouldn't do that.

But you did.

[Narrator/Host]

Oh, yeah. I want to show you one other point of that Christy Noem, hearing the cross exam of her. So you had a. Congresswoman Ramirez, I think, realized that Kristi Noem was just going to lie the whole time. So she just made this incredible kind of compilation to show that Kristi Noem is a pathetic little liar. Watch this here.

[Congresswoman Ramirez]

Play this clip an article by ProPublica from October 16, 2025 entit. We found that more than 170 U.S. citizens have been held by immigration agents. They've been kicked. There's nothing smiling about US Citizens. I'm sorry, that's very inappropriate. Let me Continue. They've been kicked, dragged and detained for days. The next one.

[Kristi Noem]

The Trump administration has specifically targeted the worst of the worst. The individuals that we are going after are those that are violent criminals, those that are breaking our laws. Do you.

[Congresswoman Ramirez]

Secretary Noem, again, you lied to the American people. I will be including to the article into the Record, an article by the NBC News from December 7, 2025 entitled ICE has arrested nearly 75,000 people with no criminal records. Data show.

A co equal branch of government. And is your obligation as a member of the executive branch to honor decisions made by the highest court of the land? Yes or no?

[Kristi Noem]

Secretary, we are abiding by all, all federal judges orders. Absolutely. The Justice Department said that when the administration was ordered back in March to stop sending detained migrants to a mega prison in El Salvador, you personally made the final call to continue the flights anyway.

[Democratic Congress member Seth Magaziner]

Is that correct?

[Kristi Noem]

And the decisions that are made on deportations, where flights go and when they go, are my decision. At the Department of Homeland Security. We'll continue to do the right thing, continue to work and do protect Americans, no matter what radical judge comes out and tries to stop us.

[Congresswoman Ramirez]

You lied on the record and you lied to members of this committee. You violated court orders by not turning around deportation flights bound for El Salvador, where we know that hundreds of people under your leadership have reported that they were raped, they were beaten, and they nearly died. And your agents used chemical weapons in Chicago despite court orders from District Court Judge Ellis forbidding their use. Secretary Noem, you, Gregory Bevino, and your ICBP and DHS deputized agents have waged an unaccountable, unlawful, unconstitutional war against communities across the nation.

[Narrator/Host]

This other moment, too, where you had another Democratic congressman say, look, you've not. You're not following federal court orders. We all know that to be the case here. Let's play this.

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

Donald Trump said that your ICE agents haven't gone far enough. Do you think terrorizing American citizens and.

[Narrator/Host]

Assaulting peaceful protesters isn't far enough?

[Kristi Noem]

Congressman, the Department of Homeland Security and this administration complies with all federal court orders. We always have and we always.

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

Not. True.

[Kristi Noem]

And we will continue to appeal. And sir, I will even tell you that at the highest court, at the Supreme Court, the Department of Homeland Security in our litigation has an over 90% success rate in winning at the highest court in our battle against activist judges across this country, Madam Secretary, judges continue to appeal. And then when it gets to the highest court and we get a decision, it is proven that we. I want to reclaim my time we have been compliant.

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

I will also say, Madam Secretary, let me.

[Kristi Noem]

Want me to answer your questions or not?

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

I do, but let me. You haven't been telling us the truth. Look, there have been at least 170 known cases of citizens being arrested or detained by federal immigration agents this year alone. This is the truth.

[Narrator/Host]

Are you lying to the American people.

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

Right now by denying these reports?

[Kristi Noem]

When we are doing our targeted enforcement operations against criminal illegal aliens, Individuals that are in that area may be detained until we verify who they are and then they are released. This has been done for years. And every single law enforcement operation that has always happened, we follow the same protocols and we continue to do that. We have never once detained or deported an American citizen. We have not held them, not to charge them. When we find out by their identity, then that is when they are released. You also.

[Narrator/Host]

And then I'll remind you all that I did a video on it this morning that Christine Ohm, she may be too busy to remain in Congress, but not too busy for the Department of Homeland Security to make videos, more torture videos showing Border Patrol agents and ICE attacking migrants. And they go cuffing Season. And then they made another one, obviously, you know, with Sabrina Carpenter's music. And Sabrina Carpenter called them out and said, don't you dare steal my music and use it to attack migrants. And then the Trump regime attacked Sabrina Carpenter, the pop star. And then Sabrina Carpenter got like 138 million views to her post. So then the Trump regime took it down because they were humiliated by a pop star. Remember that? Oh, and then Governor Newsom posted his own video of cuffing season, which was a video of Donald Trump and Hegseth and Stephen Miller getting handcuffed and thrown into prison for being war criminals and their crimes against humanity. Great work to all of the Congress members we highlighted, but especially Congressmember Magaziner. That was brilliant. And our heart goes out to all those in the veteran community in general and those who are which who are all under attack by this regime and those who are in the House of Representatives hearing either there or virtually. Thanks for watching. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million subscribers. Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our [e-mail] you'll.

[Congressman Benny Thompson]

Get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski, ad free episodes of our podcast and more exclusive content only [e-mail].