Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, opened an oversight hearing on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on March 3, 2026. The session took place during a funding shutdown that has affected agencies including the Secret Service, FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard.
Grassley highlighted the importance of these agencies for national security and referenced ongoing military engagement with Iran. He called for an end to the shutdown and acknowledged recent enforcement efforts by DHS under the Trump administration.
He stated: “This hearing comes amid a Democrat-led funding shutdown for Secret Service, FEMA, TSA and the Coast Guard. These agencies are vital to keeping our country safe.”
Addressing challenges faced by DHS officers during deportation efforts, Grassley said: “Unfortunately, in the process, some DHS officers, migrants and protesters have felt threatened, were injured, and—in very rare instances—even killed. Mistakes have been made.” He added: “Let me be clear, one death is too many.”
Grassley noted significant increases in threats and assaults against ICE officers. According to him: “ICE officers have faced an 8,000% increase in death threats,” and “ICE officers have faced a more than 1,300% increase in assaults.” He attributed some criminal activity to what he described as “the Biden administration’s shameful open border policy.”
The senator also pointed out that under current leadership at DHS there has been a renewed focus on removing criminals from communities. He said border crossings decreased by 93% in 2025 and reported zero illegal immigrant releases for ten consecutive months. Customs and Border Protection seized over 617,000 pounds of drugs.
Grassley criticized previous oversight of unaccompanied migrant children under the Biden administration: “The Biden administration lost track of hundreds of thousands of children.” He said children had been released to sponsors with questionable addresses and credited the Trump administration with locating over 145,000 previously unaccounted-for children.
On vetting Afghan evacuees following U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Grassley said: “The Biden administration hid vetting failures from the public. And multiple Inspectors General have since confirmed those vetting failures.” He referenced specific incidents involving parolees who were later identified as potential national security risks.
The hearing addressed transparency concerns about access to classified reports regarding Transportation Security Administration checkpoint testing. Grassley explained: “Inspector General Cuffari has told my office several times that he’s been restricted by a DHS memo from speaking to certain congressional committees about a classified report.”
He concluded by acknowledging Secretary Noem’s cooperation in restoring whistleblowers who reported noncompliance with federal law to their positions: “Now, those whistleblowers have been elevated to supervisory roles...I appreciate your leadership in righting the wrongs against these patriotic whistleblowers.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee plays a key role in constitutional protections and public safety through its legislative and oversight work [source]. The committee is responsible for reviewing legislation related to federal law enforcement and evaluating judicial nominations [source]. It is led by a chairperson—currently Senator Grassley—and includes members from both major parties [source]. Based in Washington D.C., its influence extends across federal law and judicial matters nationwide [source]. The committee's work also impacts civil rights issues [source] as it serves as a standing committee within the U.S. Senate with authority over judicial matters [source].
