Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended President Trump’s immigration policies and plans for deep cuts at her agency in her first appearance before lawmakers since being confirmed.

Noem, appearing before a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, was grilled by House Democrats over planned cuts for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Trump’s skinny budget proposes $646 million in cuts to FEMA it argues fund “equity” in disaster responde and also proposes shuttering the disinformation offices and programs at CISA.

“The President has indicated he wants to eliminate FEMA as it exists today, and to have states have more control over their emergency management response. He wants to empower local governments and support them and how they respond to their people,” Noem said amid questioning from lawmakers.

But Democrats defended FEMA over what it called baseless attacks by the GOP.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the committee, said dismantling the agency would mean “the federal government is abdicating its commitment to the American people.” She also raised concerns about grant funding being withheld for........

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