Kristi Noem Slams Immigrants as ‘Dirt Bags,’ Vows Backing for Homeland Security Team

WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed her staff on Tuesday, pledging to furnish them with necessary resources as the agency implements President Donald Trump’s mass deportation strategy aimed at undocumented individuals.

That morning, Noem, a former governor of South Dakota, accompanied U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a series of arrests in New York City. In a social media video, she showcased her commitment to law enforcement, donning a vest marked POLICE/ICE, and declared her mission to “get the dirt bags off our streets.”

Noem’s visit followed an extensive immigration enforcement effort over the weekend, where ICE reported nearly 1,000 arrests of individuals without legal authorization. However, it remains unclear how many of these arrests led to actual detentions or deportation proceedings.

Upon addressing the DHS workforce, a playful atmosphere ensued as the country song “Hot Mama” by Trace Adkins played. This moment echoed an earlier appearance where Trump lauded Noem’s appeal and hinted at her potential political future.

In her speech, Noem emphasized her goal of equipping staff to meet their mission efficiently. Drawing from a childhood anecdote, she recounted a lesson learned while working with her father. When asked for a tool, he urged her to anticipate his needs, a principle she believes is vital for the DHS’s operational strategy.

“We prepare ahead and think three steps ahead so that people have what they need before they need it,” Noem articulated. Confirmed by the U.S. Senate just days earlier, she now leads one of the largest federal departments, managing around 260,000 employees and a budget nearing $100 billion.

The DHS’s tasks span various critical areas, including border protection, disaster response, and cybersecurity, as well as overseeing the U.S. Secret Service. Notably, Noem emphasized that her request for this leadership role arose from its designation as the president’s “number one priority.”

Last updated 2:58 p.m., Jan. 28, 2025