U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing about national security threats amid the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The discussion focused on issues related to sanctuary city policies and radical Islamic terrorism.
Senator Graham, who has emphasized robust national defense and fiscal responsibility according to his official website (https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/), raised concerns about the role of sanctuary cities in illegal immigration. He asked Secretary Noem if she believed that sanctuary cities serve as magnets for illegal immigration.
Graham stated, “Do you believe as long as [sanctuary cities] exist, [they] will be a magnet for future illegal immigration?” Noem responded, “Yes, I do.” Graham continued, “So, if you’re an illegal immigrant, and you can get to one of these sanctuary cities, states, or towns, you believe you’ll never leave. Until you fix this, you’re going to have illegal immigrant magnets. Do you agree with that?” Noem replied, “Yes.” Graham then asked if she would urge Congress to abolish sanctuary cities; Noem answered, “Yes, I would, sir.” https://youtu.be/E_L5R2mQHPw?si=1mb9_eLaqOImvGEz&t=430
The senator also addressed recent military action against Iran following Operation Epic Fury and its impact on U.S. homeland security. He asked Noem about the current threat level from radical Islamic terrorists.
Graham said, “Now we’re engaged in military action against the mothership of terrorism, Iran, which I hope will sink pretty soon. Do you think the threat level against the United States is up or down when it comes to radical Islamic terrorists?” Noem replied, “It’s up.” Graham continued: “It’s up? So, you mean they actually may want to come here and hit us because we hit them in Iran.I don’t think you have to be a general to figure that out.” https://youtu.be/E_L5R2mQHPw?si=luRm8kCzG7UW14hs&t=278
On border security concerns under President Biden’s administration—a topic Senator Graham has prioritized as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and through legislative proposals such as an updated border-security funding bill released in June 2025 (https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/)—he highlighted statistics regarding individuals on terrorist watchlists entering the country.
Graham said: “During his four years, President Biden allowed [a] 2,700 percent increase of people on the terrorist watch list to come into this country. In 2023, [there were] 172. Do you know where those people are?” Noem responded: “No, not necessarily.” Graham added: “So, we don’t know where they are. They’re here but we don’t know where they are because [the Biden Administration] didn’t care if they came.” https://youtu.be/E_L5R2mQHPw?si=V0G9eXIJZGKRbKdv&t=62
The hearing also addressed a recent mass shooting in Austin, Texas by a naturalized citizen from Senegal—an incident being investigated as a possible terrorist attack.
Graham asked: “Who’s this guy?” Noem answered: “He is the man that conducted the horrific act down in Austin.” Graham followed up: “What country did he come from?” Noem said: “Senegal” Graham asked: “He was killed in Austin Texas right?” Noem confirmed: “He was.” Graham queried further: “And the shirt said what?” Noem replied: “‘Property of Allah.’” Graham continued: “‘Property of Allah.’ And when you went to his house you found a what kind of flag?” Noem answered: “‘Iranian flag.’” Graham concluded: “‘Iranian flag.’ I wonder how many people are like that here waiting to pounce and DHS doesn’t have appropriated funds. This is insane. There are more people like this.” https://youtu.be/E_L5R2mQHPw?si=_s6CQy9jBnho56SB&t=489
Senator Graham represents South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since first being elected in 2002 (https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/). He criticized the ongoing DHS shutdown at a time he described as critical for national security.
