Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a forceful press conference today in Los Angeles, addressing the escalating anti-ICE protests in California and outlining a robust federal response to what she described as unacceptable violence and lawlessness.
Secretary Noem, flanked by high-ranking officials from various federal agencies and military branches, emphasized an unprecedented level of inter-agency cooperation under the current administration. “Our Federal Protective Services and also our Border Patrol agents have come and been partners with us in an incredible way,” Noem stated, highlighting that such collaboration within the Department of Homeland Security “has never happened before.”
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She credited President Trump’s leadership for allowing these agencies the “willingness to do their jobs that this president has allowed them to do has been absolutely incredible.”
Beyond DHS components, Noem acknowledged the presence and contributions of other federal partners, specifically thanking the U.S. Army, Marines, and National Guard.
“Our soldiers, our military men and women who’ve shown up here to help make sure that we have [safety and security],” she said, adding that they are “doing it every single day here in the United States of America, too, and doing it as service.”
The Secretary also commended the U.S. Attorney’s office for its “aggressive” stance in ensuring “the rule of law will be followed and that people can break the law and perpetuate violence will be brought to justice. They will be prosecuted, and there will be consequences for that kind of activity.”
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In a significant revelation, Secretary Noem announced that the Department of Justice, the DEA, and the FBI, along with their investigative teams, are working with the IRS to track the funding of these protests.
“The IRS here that’s helping us track how these violent protesters are funded, what NGOs out there, what unions, what other individuals may be funding these violent perpetrators that are in these protests,” she stated, asserting that such activities turn otherwise peaceful demonstrations into “very violent activities that go after law enforcement that’s just simply not acceptable.”
Secretary Noem outlined a comprehensive strategy for dealing with arrested individuals, ensuring swift transport and prosecution.
She expressed profound gratitude from the American people for the efforts of law enforcement and military personnel, stating, “They are so grateful to the work that is being done here in Los Angeles. They are setting an example for and putting together a model and a blueprint for how we can continue to work to make every single community great again and safe again for our kids and for our grandkids far into the future.”
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Noem was highly critical of California’s state and local leadership, specifically Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, asserting that residents are “suffering under the policies of Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass.” She stated that federal agents and law enforcement are “working to change that and give them an opportunity to be successful and to live the American dream.”
Secretary Noem also issued a warning to those assaulting law enforcement officers.
“If you assault a law enforcement officer, we are going to come after you and we are going to arrest you, prosecute you, we’ll put you away. That is not going to work, and under this administration, under President Trump’s leadership, one person is not better than another.”
She emphasized the equal application of the Constitution and laws to every individual, regardless of citizenship status or group affiliation.
Citing numerous instances of violence against officers, including “being pelted with rocks and bricks,” “cars being set on fire,” “Molotov cocktails have been used,” and officers being “attacked and verbally spit on or punched or assaulted,” Secretary Noem affirmed that operations in Los Angeles would “continue to sustain and increase.”
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Noem said, “We are not going away. We are staying here to liberate the city from the socialist and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country.”
Todd Lyons, Acting ICE Director, echoed Secretary Noem’s sentiments, thanking her for her leadership and stating that “President Trump fully has our back on this.” Lyons highlighted the “whole government approach” to immigration enforcement, contrasting it with previous administrations and emphasizing the focus on “gang members, human traffickers, drug dealers, and rapists.”
He recounted an incident where a federal law enforcement building was surrounded by over a thousand violent individuals, with a two-hour response time from local police, underscoring the need for continued federal intervention.
Both officials reiterated their commitment to protecting American cities and citizens, vowing to restore “Law and Order” to Los Angeles.
“God bless all of our men and women of the military that serve, all of those who serve in our law enforcement agencies and at a public service that make great sacrifice. But they believe in Freedom, and they believe in Law and Order,” said Noem. “And that is what we are doing right here today, and we’ll continue to do for days to come until Los Angeles once again is at peace.”
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