Teacher Wounded in ICE Operation Confronts Kristi Noem at Senate Hearing

• Teacher Shot in ICE Shooting Appears Before Senate
• Noem Says She Is Unaware of the Case
• Senator Demands Public Condemnation

According to the EFE news agency, teacher Marimar Martínez, a survivor of a shooting during an immigration enforcement operation in Chicago, appeared Tuesday at a United States Senate hearing.

Martínez was struck by five bullets fired by a federal agent during the operation known as “Midway Blitz.”

The incident occurred on October 4 and generated national headlines.

The hearing took place before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, where Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced questions from Democratic senators.

Tense Exchange Between Marimar Martinez and Kristi Noem in the Senate

Powerful moment here

Marimar Martinez, who was shot multiple times by federal agents, stands up behind Kristi Noem at Senate hearing ===> pic.twitter.com/z4QLrSNOE4

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) March 3, 2026

During the session, Kristi Noem said she was unaware of the details of the case.

She also stated that she did not know whether the agent responsible remained on duty.

Martínez stood directly behind Noem while the questioning unfolded.

Senator Richard Blumenthal addressed the case during the hearing.

He described how Martínez had been on her way to donate clothes to her church when she became involved in a traffic incident with Border Patrol agents.

You may also be interested in: Who Is Kristi Noem and Why Is She Facing So Much Criticism?

According to the senator, one of the agents exited his vehicle angrily and fired at Martínez’s moving car.

Blumenthal stated that the teacher was hit five times.

“She almost bled to death,” the lawmaker said.

The senator asked Noem whether she agreed that shooting Martínez—a U.S. citizen from Chicago—was wrong.

Noem replied that she was not familiar with the situation and would investigate it.

Blumenthal interrupted to say he was glad she planned to look into it.

Messages and Dismissed Accusations

UNSEALED: «Five Rounds, Seven Holes»
Disgusting text Messages show ICE Thug Charles Exum bragging about shooting U.S. citizen Marimar Martinez, while high-ranking officials—including Gregory Bovino and Kristi Noem—showered the shooter with praise for «excellent service» pic.twitter.com/60yCcYHxc1

— Lincoln Square (@LincolnSquareHQ) February 13, 2026

Blumenthal explained that Marimar Martinez was later accused of assaulting agents.

However, he said the case was dismissed in court because it was fabricated.

The senator also displayed screenshots of text messages allegedly sent by the agent involved, Charles Exum.

One of the messages reportedly read:

“I fired five shots and there were seven holes. Put that on your list, guys.”

Blumenthal asked Noem whether she would join him in condemning the agent.

The Homeland Security secretary repeated that she did not know the details of the situation.

The senator insisted that shooting Marimar Martinez and bragging about it was wrong.

He also cited another message in which Exum allegedly claimed his supervisors had supported him after the shooting.

Blumenthal said those mentioned included Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, Noem, and “the boss himself,” which the senator suggested likely referred to President Donald Trump.

The lawmaker repeatedly asked whether Exum remained on duty and still carried a weapon.

Noem responded that she could not answer.

Blumenthal said it would be terrifying for Americans if the agent were still armed and serving.

At the end of the exchange, the senator offered Noem the opportunity to address Martínez directly.

Noem did not respond.

Reactions After the Hearing

After the hearing, Martínez’s attorney released a statement.

He described Noem’s comments as “more alarming than her agency’s refusal to investigate Exum’s illegal actions.”

Martínez also spoke publicly.

“She is the head of DHS, and one of her agents tried to kill me, a U.S. citizen, on the streets of Chicago. This was reported in national media for months,” she said.

The Hispanic teacher argued that evidence presented in her case shows Noem was aware of the shooting.

She also called for the FBI to investigate Exum for what she described as an attempted execution.

The Marimar Martinez ICE shooting case has once again moved to the center of political debate following the Senate hearing.