Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Vows to Use Broad Authorities to Secure Borders and Combat Leaks

Commitment to Following Through on Trump’s Promises

In a recent appearance on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reaffirmed her commitment to using the extensive powers of her role to fulfill President Trump’s pledges to make America safer. Noem emphasized that her primary focus will be on enforcing the law, following established procedures to protect public safety, and delivering on the promises made by the President. "I plan to use every single one of them to make sure that we’re following the law, that we are following the procedures in place to keep people safe, and that we’re making sure we’re following through on what President Trump has promised—that he’s going to make America safe again," she stated.

Noem’s remarks come at a time when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking unprecedented measures to address internal leaks. The agency has been administering polygraph tests to its personnel to identify individuals who may be leaking sensitive information about ongoing immigration raids to the media. A DHS spokesperson confirmed the practice, which Noem defended as necessary to protect the safety of law enforcement officers and maintain the integrity of their operations. "Anyone who is leaking information outside of how something is planned for the safety of those law enforcement officers needs to be held accountable for that," she said. Leakers, if identified, could face prosecution and up to 10 years in federal prison.

Progress on Border Security and Combatting Cartels

Since her confirmation as DHS Secretary in late January, Noem has highlighted the administration’s efforts to strengthen border security and crack down on illegal immigration. She noted that significant progress has been made since President Trump took office, particularly in reducing illegal border crossings to a 25-year low last month. Noem attributed this success to a combination of stricter enforcement policies, collaboration with international partners, and a renewed focus on dismantling criminal organizations, such as drug cartels.

Central to this strategy is working closely with the Mexican government to extend enforcement efforts beyond the U.S.-Mexico border. Noem emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of illegal activities, such as the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., by targeting cartel operations and their financial networks. She highlighted the administration’s recent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, which she claimed have encouraged these countries to become more cooperative partners in combating cross-border crime. "The president obviously wants a strong economy, obviously wants better trade deals as well, but this is about fentanyl and what we can do to stop the cartels from partnering with Chinese officials laundering money and bringing a poison into our country that is specifically designed to kill the next generation," she explained.

Leadership Changes and Operational Focus

As the DHS continues to refine its strategy, Noem announced key leadership changes aimed at strengthening the agency’s operational capabilities. Todd Lyons, a seasoned figure with a long history of collaboration with border czar Tom Homan, has been appointed as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Additionally, Madison Sheahan will serve as the new deputy secretary. These appointments reflect Noem’s commitment to assembling a team capable of implementing the administration’s aggressive immigration and border security agenda.

The DHS secretary also addressed the ongoing presence of 6,000 military personnel at the southern border, stating that they will remain deployed "until that border is completely secure, and we see all-time record lows of encounters." Noem emphasized that the continued military presence is a clear message to the world that the U.S. under President Trump is committed to enforcing its laws and securing its borders. "Our border patrol is doing fantastic work, but we’re going to keep them there until the whole world gets the message that this isn’t Joe Biden’s world anymore. This is President Donald Trump’s country where we have a border, where we have laws and it applies equally to everybody," she said.

Capacity Challenges and Calls for Congressional Support

Despite the progress claimed by the administration, significant challenges remain in managing the influx of migrants and detainees. Noem acknowledged that the current capacity for housing detainees is limited, with a finite number of beds available. To address this issue, the DHS plans to utilize a military facility at Fort Bliss in Texas for detentions. However, Noem stressed the urgency of securing additional funding from Congress to sustain these operations. "We have just weeks before we are out of the funds to continue the operations that we have," she warned.

The administration’s ambitious goals, including the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, hinge on Congressional support to allocate the necessary resources. Without additional funding, the DHS risks being unable to maintain its current level of enforcement, potentially undermining the progress made in reducing illegal crossings and securing the border. As the debate over immigration policy continues, Noem’s leadership will be critical in navigating these challenges and ensuring the administration’s objectives are met.

The Road Ahead for Homeland Security

As Secretary Noem and the DHS move forward with their aggressive agenda, the focus will remain on securing the border, combating illegal activities, and ensuring accountability within the agency. The use of polygraph tests to identify leakers, the deployment of military personnel, and the planned expansion of detention facilities all reflect a no-nonsense approach to enforcing U.S. immigration laws. At the same time, the administration’s reliance on international cooperation and congressional funding highlights the complexity of addressing these issues in a way that is both effective and sustainable.

With illegal border crossings at historic lows and a renewed emphasis on targeting cartels and fentanyl trafficking, the DHS under Noem’s leadership appears determined to deliver on President Trump’s promise of a safer America. However, the challenges ahead—ranging from capacity constraints to potential political pushback—will require strategic planning and collaboration to overcome. As the administration presses on with its mission, the coming months will be critical in determining whether these efforts can achieve lasting results.