A Hearing Interrupted — December 11, 2025, Capitol Hill

On Thursday afternoon, December 11, 2025, a routine House Homeland Security Committee hearing featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took an abrupt and surreal turn when two protesters shouted a line lifted from the 1973 horror film The Exorcist: “The power of Christ compels you!” The Guardian

The incident unfolded at about 3:24 p.m. Eastern Time inside Washington’s Cannon House Office Building as Noem began her testimony. The moment instantly diverted attention from policy debates to a political spectacle that reverberated through social platforms and newsrooms across the country. The Guardian

The Outburst That Stunned the Room

Just minutes into her opening remarks, one protester leaped to his feet in the spectator gallery shouting, “Stop ICE raids! The power of Christ compels you! End deportations!” — blending humanitarian objections with the iconic line from the horror classic. The Guardian

Committee members and staff froze. Some blinked in disbelief. Noem herself paused mid-sentence, visibly taken aback by the intensity of the interruption. Before any further escalation, Capitol Police moved quickly to escort the man out. Moments later, a second protester rose up with a sign reading “No ICE, no troops!” and repeated the same exorcism-style line before being removed as well. inkl

The whole disruption lasted barely a minute — but for those inside the chamber and viewers watching clips online, the exchange was unforgettable.

Why the Exorcist Line? Political Symbolism, Not Cinema

The choice to invoke “The power of Christ compels you!” was no random shout from the crowd. Instead, it was a pointed symbolic gesture — part performance, part protest — meant to dramatize the frustrations of activists critical of current immigration enforcement policies. The Guardian

Protesters linked their chant to demands for ending ICE raids and deportations, suggesting that Noem’s role in shaping and defending stringent enforcement was akin to a force they wanted “banished.” The blending of religious imagery with political argument lodged the moment squarely in the spotlight, turning an ordinary oversight into a viral sensation. The Guardian

Noem’s Reaction: Poise Under Pressure

Despite the shock of the interruption, Noem maintained a controlled presence once order was restored. After the noises died down and the committee chair signaled security to clear the room, she resumed her remarks. Her response was brief, measured, and focused on the policy at hand.

“This is a serious hearing,” Noem said, nodding toward committee members. “I hope we can continue without further interruptions.” The Guardian

Her ability to redirect focus back to the policy questions earned nods of respect from members on both sides of the aisle, even as the surreal interlude continued to circulate online.

Security and Capitol Police Respond Swiftly

Capitol Police acted within seconds, upholding decorum and preventing the disruption from escalating. Both individuals were removed from the hearing room without physical confrontation and are expected to face charges related to disorderly conduct. The Guardian

Police later confirmed that neither protester was armed and that their statements were isolated to verbal disruptions and placards — no further threat was detected. The Guardian

Political and Public Reactions Explode

Within minutes of the incident, clips of the disruption began circulating widely across social media platforms, transforming a mid-afternoon hearing into trending news by evening. Analysis and commentary ranged from humorous and satirical to sharply critical of both the protesters and Noem’s policies.

Supporters of the action defended the theatrics as a vivid form of protest against what they call overly harsh immigration enforcement. Critics condemned the stunt as a distraction from serious national security discussions and disrespectful to democratic processes. The Guardian

The moment also inflamed ongoing debate over the role of political demonstrations inside official government proceedings, raising questions about where free expression ends and disorder begins.

Context: A Heated Hearing From the Start

The protest did not occur in a vacuum. Noem’s testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee was already tense as lawmakers questioned her support of aggressive immigration policies and enforcement tactics. Calls from Democratic members for her resignation had already echoed earlier in the session, intensifying the charged atmosphere. AP News

With concerns over ICE operations, deportation strategies, and broader homeland security priorities dominating the agenda, passions were high — setting the stage for an interruption that was as theatrical as it was unexpected. AP News

A Moment That Will Echo Beyond Today

Thursday’s disruption will be remembered not just for its cinematic invocation, but as a snapshot of an era where civic protest and pop-culture overlap in increasingly vivid ways. Whether viewed as inspired or inappropriate, the moment underscored how public dissent can reshape even the most structured legislative proceedings.

As lawmakers continue to debate immigration policy and the direction of federal enforcement, the image of those two protesters — a loud chant, a famous movie line, and a roomful of stunned officials — will remain part of the story of this hearing and the broader political moment. The Guardian