Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem delivered a blunt assessment of the latest violence in Minneapolis after a Border Patrol shooting left one man dead and sparked chaos in the streets. Speaking from FEMA headquarters on Saturday, Noem said DHS officers were carrying out “lawful duties” when the incident unfolded and made it clear who she believes is fueling the disorder.
Noem began by addressing what she called “the tragic situation that unfolded on the streets” as federal agents attempted to arrest a dangerous suspect. She repeated details previously provided by CBP Commander Greg Bovino regarding the criminal history of the illegal alien the agents were trying to apprehend and outlined what occurred at the scene.
After the shooting, hundreds of protesters reportedly flooded the area and began throwing objects at law enforcement officers. During the confrontation, an officer’s finger was bitten off — an attack later confirmed by Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. Apparently, “mostly peaceful” now includes cannibalism.
Noem contrasted Minnesota’s response with other parts of the country where state and local officials assist federal agents. “In other cities and states, we don’t see this happen,” she said, pointing to Memphis, Tennessee, as an example. In Minnesota, however, she said Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have chosen a different path. “In Minneapolis, Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey, they instead choose violence,” Noem said. “It appears they want this lawlessness to continue.”
She announced that the Trump administration and DHS are making two direct requests of Walz and Frey. First, when Minnesota officials release dangerous criminals from jail, they should turn them over to federal authorities so they can be removed from the country as quickly as possible. Noem said Minnesota officials have released 490 criminals back onto the streets during the first year of President Trump’s second term. Second, she said state and city leaders should provide backup for DHS agents on the streets.
Noem argued that Democrats refuse to cooperate because they would rather deflect attention from reports of alleged Somali daycare fraud and other misconduct “they facilitated in Minnesota.” According to Noem, silence is easier than accountability.
She confirmed that DHS is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. She also stressed that when people show up armed to protest a law enforcement operation, it becomes a “violent riot,” not a peaceful demonstration.
Noem cautioned reporters not to lose sight of the assault on the CBP agent and the mission agents were carrying out at the time. “This individual impeded law enforcement officers and attacked them,” she said when asked why civilians were involved in the operation. “These agents took actions to defend their lives and to defend the lives of those around them, and acted according to their training.”
She said the administration will not allow Walz and Frey to “lie about what actually unfolded on that street” or distract from the work of federal law enforcement. Noem also blamed Walz for supporting the previous administration’s border policies, which allowed illegal immigration to surge. She pointed to criminal networks involved in drugs and human trafficking that expanded under Biden and said those operations will “stop” under President Trump.
While Minnesota’s leaders debate narratives, DHS and Border Patrol are continuing their mission to enforce the law and protect the public. And under President Trump’s leadership, the message remains clear: lawlessness will not be rewarded, and order will be restored — whether local politicians like it or not.
