A backpack-carrying activist gained access to a Senate committee hearing featuring Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, prompting a wave of questions about the glaring security lapse.
Noem was being grilled by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday when the hearing was briefly interrupted, reportedly by an ICE Watch activist who shouted “Abolish ICE” and at Noem before being dragged out.
“Kristi Noem, you should be ashamed of yourself!” the protester shouted as Noem was delivering her opening remarks during the committee’s DHS oversight hearing.
BREAKING🚨: An “ICE Watch” activist just strolled into the U.S. Capitol carrying a MASSIVE backpack?!
Capitol Police: Explain how this happened. Which congressional office sponsored their access? Name names.
Security lapse or inside help? We deserve answers NOW. 👀 pic.twitter.com/hRCFzhZgVV
— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) March 3, 2026
“I’m a former FEMA employee,” the activist yelled. “You have disgraced our agency.”
“FEMA employees… should be responding to disasters, not ICE agents,” she added.
Noem seemed unfazed by the disturbance and continued her remarks, later saying, “This is what happens when people can’t handle the truth about the border.”
“We will not be intimidated,” Noem said.
Video shows:
– Noem didn’t flinch — just paused, looked up, and continued once the woman was gone.
– Several other attendees clapped or cheered as the protester was removed.
– Capitol Police say she was arrested for unlawful disruption and disorderly conduct in a restricted…
— SolSuit (@WolfOfTrenchess) March 3, 2026
While other protesters were reportedly removed from the hearing on Tuesday, the fact that one activist had made it into the location with a large backpack left many on social media fuming.
“We are in a war with terrorists, and someone got in with a backpack to where sitting members of Congress are sitting. Someone needs to lose their job,” one user posted.
“If that was a suicide bomber it would have been a disaster. How does this even happen? A large backpack should never even be in the building,” another wrote, echoing the outrage of many.
Anyone that’s been there knows that the Capitol Police are at the door. The buck stops there. Period.
— Kaby🇺🇲 (@ConservativeKAB) March 3, 2026
Absolutely incredible that this was allowed. Fire every single officer that came in contact with this individual. None of them deserve the job.
— Sue Knows Best (@sues86453) March 3, 2026
ICE WATCH is a domestic terror organization. But indications are it’s financed from abroad, which actually makes it an INTERNATIONAL terror group.
— Ry Brooks (@RyBrooks) March 3, 2026
This was obviously allowed to happen.
— United Bstans (@United_Bstans) March 3, 2026
Inside help, just try this yourself and see how far you get!
— Liverhead (@Liverhead451939) March 3, 2026
Like you don’t know what an idiot like that is going to do already when they show up in a hat, mask and scarf not showing their face?
— Lee Ford (@LeeRoyIV) March 3, 2026
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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