Noem: More cities could see federal law enforcement on streets, even in red states
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U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks on July 30, 2025 in Santiago, Chile. Photo by Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Sunday that nothing is "off the table" for cities with high crime rates and that others could see federal law enforcement on their streets — including in Republican-led states.
Why it matters: President Trump's activation of federal law enforcement and the National Guard in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. has been met with backlash and controversy, but his administration has continued to double down on the move, with Chicago the latest city on notice.
- Noem confirmed Sunday while appearing on CBS' "Face the Nation" that DHS intends to "add more resources" to operations being conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Illinois and other states, but declined to give details over security concerns for agents and investigators on the ground.
- She also claimed that Trump's deployment of the National Guard in LA earlier this year prevented the city from burning down, and said her agency has arrested 5,000 individuals in the city and removed them from the U.S.
Between the lines: Asked by CBS' News' Ed O'Keefe about other cities that the Trump administration might target, Noem said DHS has focused on making sure that federal officers have the resources and equipment needed and is partnering with local officials, sheriffs and mayors "that want to solve problems."
- "I would encourage every single big city — San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, whatever they are — if they want to help make their city safer, more prosperous .... they should call us," she said.
- O'Keefe pointed to criticisms that some cities with high rates of violent crime — such as Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Dallas, and Jackson, Mississippi — are in Republican-led states and asked Noem if DHS would also send federal agents and officers there.
- "Absolutely," Noem said. "Every single city is evaluated for what we need to do there to make it safer." She did not provide any details on when or if officers and agents could be sent to red states.
The other side: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who also appeared on "Face the Nation" Sunday in a pre-taped interview, criticized Noem over the potential for more federal law enforcement in Chicago, saying that her actions regarding immigration arrests are "inflaming passions and causing disruption that doesn't need to be caused."
- Pritzker called DHS's actions "anti-American" and asked the secretary to "check herself for what she really believes."
- He added that Illinois won't engage with DHS on immigration, but focus on fighting "violent crime on the streets of our city" and that if the federal agency doesn't coordinate with the state, "they're going to cause enormous problems."
- Noem responded Sunday that Pritzker is putting his ego over "protecting his people," and said DHS is doing what Illinois needs by removing "dangerous criminals off the streets."
