itstargetnews
newYou can listen to Fox News articles now!
Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem She has been criticized during the anti-ICE riots that rocked the country, triggered a government shutdown and left many wondering whether the eighth secretary of Homeland Security would keep his job.
Despite mounting pressure, Noem appeared calm, collected and confident during a trip this week that included a stop in Mississippi to assess winter storm damage recovery efforts, visits to the southern border of Texas and Arizona and the northern border of North Dakota, and a barbecue dinner hosted by Noem herself for Arizona Border Patrol agents.
In the first half of its four-day term, Congress is still dealing with a partial government shutdown, largely over how to fund the Department of Homeland Security. The House ultimately reached a deal to fund the agency through Feb. 13, but Noem’s focus remained the same before and after the bill’s passage, and so did her schedule.
Second. Kristi Noem speaks during a news conference at the border wall in Nogales, Arizona, on February 4. (DHS photo by Mikaela McGee)
In an exclusive interview along the border wall in Nogales, Arizona, Noem told Fox News Digital national security functions The agency’s role is too important to be sidelined by a fight over spending.
Border crossings hit 55-year low after Democrats say reform is only solution
“(The Department of Homeland Security) is working every day to find terrorists and remove them from our country and protect our cybersecurity systems and critical infrastructure,” Noem told Fox News. “Only 11 percent of the Department of Homeland Security budget is for ICE. The rest is FEMA, TSA, which manages security checkpoints at our airports.”
“The Coast Guard is critical to our maritime protection and working with the Department of War,” Noem added. “We have weapons of mass destruction, science and technology, our national laboratories.”
“We have a lot of responsibilities, and we absolutely need funding to be able to properly meet those responsibilities. So I’m hopeful that Congress will recognize that and pass this bill quickly,” Noem said.
Kristi Noem to testify before House committee next month
But the debate over government spending isn’t about the Coast Guard, FEMA or the Transportation Security Administration. It is based almost entirely on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), one of the 23 agencies Noem oversees. Specifically, it centers on ICE operations in Minneapolis, a so-called sanctuary city where local authorities provide only minimal support to federal officers enforcing immigration laws.
Federal law enforcement officers detained a protester during a raid in south Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Minnesota officials are suing over an unprecedented surge in U.S. immigration authorities in the state, taking the Trump administration to court just days after a federal agent shot and killed a Minneapolis woman. (Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Homeland Security estimates Metro surge operations have resulted in 4,000 criminal arrests since early this year illegal immigration in Minneapolis. The operation was initiated primarily as a result of a fraud scheme involving members of Minnesota’s Somali community.
The mission then turned into a violent conflict between agitators and federal officials, ultimately resulting in the deaths of two U.S. citizens: Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Killed by federal immigration agents.
Noem vows to pursue criminal charges after alleged DHS ‘prolific leaker’ caught
Noem quickly labeled Goode and Pretty as “domestic terrorists” and said their deaths were due to obstructing “law enforcement operations,” sparking outrage from Democrats and some Republicans who began Ask her to resign.
Rumors abound about whether Noem will indeed resign or whether the president will resign Donald Trump would fire her, but the president told reporters shortly after Pretty’s death that he had no intention of firing her as head of Homeland Security.
When Fox News Digital asked Noem what she thought the American people wanted when ICE used the same tactics that led to riots, deaths and attacks on agitators and agents to enforce the law, Noem said: “I think people want less conflict.”
President Donald Trump repeatedly endorsed Homeland Security Director Noem in public comments in January. (Jim Watson/Getty Images)
Levitt says Trump won’t ‘waver’ on crackdown on illegal immigration despite Democratic backlash
“(The American people) want to know that we are enforcing our laws, that we are going after dangerous criminals, and they don’t want them being released onto the streets to perpetuate more crime,” Noem explained.
At several stops along Nome’s journey, agitators emerged. At a hotel in Tucson, Arizona, she hosted a dinner for CBP officers and protesters who had gathered at the hotel entrance with drums, megaphones and what appeared to be pre-made signs. All other cars passing by the demonstration honked their horns, although it was unclear whether they were honking in support or against the protesters.
In a Quinnipiac University survey conducted from January 29 to February 2, 58% of respondents said Norm doesn’t deserve this job..
Fox News Digital spoke with a Republican insider who noted Noem’s lack of experience on the national stage and said her experience as governor of South Dakota did not prepare her for one of the most challenging roles in a president’s cabinet.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem meets with CBP officials on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Noem took stock of the progress made since taking over as head of the agency a year ago. (Kate Ramirez, Fox News Digital)
Despite the criticism, Noem’s record in securing the border has proven successful, according to data provided by the department and the Trump administration. Trump’s goal is to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the border, which is Noem’s mission and a top priority for the White House.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, more illegal immigrants crossed the southern border in an average month under former President Joe Biden than under Noem’s entire watch.
“We have over 3 million people who have been deported, and that probably includes about 700,000 people that we have detained and deported,” Noem told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. “On top of that, there are over 2.3 million people who are self-deported.”
“You know, you’re sending a message around the world that the United States is now going to enforce its laws and make sure that if you’re in this country illegally, you get to go home, and we’ve been incentivizing that by paying $2,600 and taking a flight,” Noem added. “Millions of people have taken our advice.”
Trump again defended Noem on Thursday as he discussed whether he would relinquish Noem’s command of the Department of Homeland Security at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (not pictured) shows photos from an illegal border crossing a year ago during a meeting with CBP officials in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Noem took stock of the progress made since taking over as head of the agency a year ago. (Kate Ramirez, Fox News Digital)
House Democrats hold ‘shadow hearings’ to provide evidence for impeachment of Kristi Noem
“Why would I do this? We have the strongest border in the history of our country,” Trump said. “Our crime numbers are the highest since 1900. That’s 125 years. Our crime numbers are the lowest.”
Trump also appointed Tom Homan, the former ICE director during Trump’s first term and executive deputy director for law enforcement and deportation operations under the president. barack obama, Serves as border czar, a position previously held by Kamala Harris.
Some reports painted an unspoken rivalry between Homan and Noem following Trump’s decision to give Homan the reins in Minneapolis.
Noem slams Democrats, Biden administration for lack of ‘compassion’ amid anti-Iceland tensions
But Noem told Fox News Digital that she praised Homan’s efforts to bring local leaders in Minneapolis to the table to negotiate order amid the chaos in the Twin Cities.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a roundtable in the State Dining Room of the White House on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Click here to download the Fox News app
“What people need to remember is that Democratic policies are destroying our country,” Noem said. “President Trump came in and said, I’m going to protect the American people. This won’t happen again.”
“Since the (Biden administration), thousands of lives have been saved right here at the border because these immigrants are no longer victimized,” Noem added.
Preston Mizell is a contributor to Fox News. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and x @MizellPreston
