Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced intense questioning from lawmakers during two days of congressional hearings this week, drawing criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over her department's immigration enforcement operations.

Noem first appeared before a Senate committee on Tuesday, where she encountered bipartisan scrutiny regarding ICE tactics and the deaths of two American citizens during federal immigration raids in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The hearing marked her first congressional testimony since the fatal shooting incidents involving federal agents.

On Wednesday, Noem testified before the House Judiciary Committee, where she faced additional questions about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies. Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington introduced four U.S. citizens who she claimed were wrongfully detained by the Department of Homeland Security during protests against ICE operations.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, defended Noem during the proceedings, praising what he called her "amazing record" on immigration matters despite the recent deaths of U.S. citizens during the Minnesota operations.

Democratic Representative Dan Goldman of New York pressed Noem on election security measures during the House hearing, accusing her of seeking to "create an excuse to terrorize our polling places," though the specific context of these remarks was not detailed in the testimony coverage.

The hearings come as the Department of Homeland Security faces increased congressional oversight regarding its handling of immigration enforcement operations under the current administration's policies.