Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has defied mounting pressure to resign, citing her focus on national security functions that are too vital to be sidelined by spending fights. As Congress deals with a partial government shutdown over DHS funding, Noem remains steadfast, touring the southern and northern borders, including a visit to the border wall in Nogales, Arizona.
Noem's trip took her to Mississippi to assess winter storm damage recovery efforts, as well as visits to Texas and Arizona to address border security concerns. During an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Noem emphasized that the national security functions of the agency are too critical to be compromised by a spending fight.
"It is also the Coast Guard, which is absolutely critical to our maritime protection," she said. "We have weapons of mass destruction, science and technology, our national labs." Noem stressed that her priority is to enforce U.S. laws and protect the country from threats, while acknowledging that some critics may view ICE as a threat.
Despite an influx of protests and violent clashes with federal officers at border checkpoints in Minneapolis, Noem remains committed to her job, crediting Tom Homan, the new border czar, for working to negotiate order in the city. She has vowed to crack down on sanctuary cities and criticized Democrats for lacking "compassion" amid anti-ICE tensions.
As House Democrats build a case to impeach her, Noem has rallied support from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly defended her in public comments. The president claims that the border is now stronger than ever under his watch, with record-low crime numbers and thousands of lives saved by his administration's efforts.
The debate over government spending centered largely around ICE, which has been at odds with local authorities in Minneapolis, a so-called sanctuary city that provides limited support to federal officers enforcing immigration laws. Noem has argued that Democrats are undermining the rule of law and putting American citizens at risk.
With her position under fire, Noem remains resolute, stating that she believes the American people want less conflict and more effective border security measures. Her stance has earned her criticism from some Republicans who have begun to call for her resignation, but Trump's backing and her record on securing the border have so far protected her job.
Noem's trip took her to Mississippi to assess winter storm damage recovery efforts, as well as visits to Texas and Arizona to address border security concerns. During an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Noem emphasized that the national security functions of the agency are too critical to be compromised by a spending fight.
"It is also the Coast Guard, which is absolutely critical to our maritime protection," she said. "We have weapons of mass destruction, science and technology, our national labs." Noem stressed that her priority is to enforce U.S. laws and protect the country from threats, while acknowledging that some critics may view ICE as a threat.
Despite an influx of protests and violent clashes with federal officers at border checkpoints in Minneapolis, Noem remains committed to her job, crediting Tom Homan, the new border czar, for working to negotiate order in the city. She has vowed to crack down on sanctuary cities and criticized Democrats for lacking "compassion" amid anti-ICE tensions.
As House Democrats build a case to impeach her, Noem has rallied support from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly defended her in public comments. The president claims that the border is now stronger than ever under his watch, with record-low crime numbers and thousands of lives saved by his administration's efforts.
The debate over government spending centered largely around ICE, which has been at odds with local authorities in Minneapolis, a so-called sanctuary city that provides limited support to federal officers enforcing immigration laws. Noem has argued that Democrats are undermining the rule of law and putting American citizens at risk.
With her position under fire, Noem remains resolute, stating that she believes the American people want less conflict and more effective border security measures. Her stance has earned her criticism from some Republicans who have begun to call for her resignation, but Trump's backing and her record on securing the border have so far protected her job.
i mean, i get where democrats are coming from, we gotta protect our citizens, but at the same time, it feels like she's just ignoring the fact that some cities have their own laws and ways of dealing with immigration. and then she's got trump backing her up, which is pretty wild 
i guess only time will tell if she stays or goes, but for now, she's keeping on truckin'
Like, Secretary Noem is literally saying that national security is more important than, you know, getting along with Congress over funding 
. And I get it, borders are a big deal and all, but come on! 
If she's really gonna tour the southern border like that, maybe she should also try to listen to some of those local authorities in Minneapolis who are, like, super upset about ICE 
.
Like, I get that Noem thinks ICE is important, but isn't it also true that some of these sanctuary cities are actually trying to help people in need? 
It feels like there's a big middle ground here that's getting lost in all the drama.
.
Don't get me wrong, national security is important and all that 
, but can't she just, like, find some compromise or something? 
It's all so... partisan 
... but at the same time i feel bad for her cuz she's literally putting her life on the line by being out there on the border and dealing with all that chaos 
... and its crazy how trump is backing her despite some republicans wanting her to go 
... i guess thats just the world we live in right now where people are more divided than ever 
, and she's not gonna let a little government shutdown drama bring her down 
. I mean, think about it, this woman's out there on the border, talking trash to sanctuary cities, while also dealing with the aftermath of winter storms in Mississippi 
. It's like she's got multiple plates spinning, and still managing to keep it together 
.
. I mean, she's not gonna let a little thing like a government shutdown get in the way of her job 
, that's what we pay her for, right? 
. I mean, it's not easy being the face of DHS during a partial shutdown 
.
, then so be it.
Either way, I think she's definitely earned her keep as DHS Secretary 
I mean, a partial government shutdown over DHS funding? It's like we're taking away the safety nets that protect us from real threats 
And Noem is still touring around, visiting border walls and talking about national security... but what about the people on the other side of those borders? What about the winter storm damage in Mississippi? It feels like there are so many important issues being ignored in the heat of this spending fight 
I gotta say, I'm a bit surprised that Noem is still going strong despite all the heat she's under. I mean, I get it, national security is a huge deal and she's got some serious responsibilities on her plate. But at the same time, it feels like there are so many people at risk when she's not prioritizing diplomacy over drama 
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is still standing strong 
. She believes the American people want less conflict and more effective border security measures 
. It's getting to the point where even the experts are worried 
. Anyone think we're ready for this kind of stuff? 
The protests in Minneapolis were intense, but what if they weren't happening because of ICE, but despite Noem's hardline stance? 
I mean, I guess Kristi Noem is a real hero... to the Border Wall fan club 
. And don't even get me started on her "compassion" comments towards ICE... yeah right 
while people are dying due to lack of resources and stuff. 
he's just a walking disaster waiting to happen and Secretary Noem thinks he can fix the border issues with him? 