Washington — Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday defended the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, dismissing a recent federal judge’s order restricting certain law enforcement tactics as having “changed nothing” on the ground.
Speaking on CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Noem said federal officers would continue their work, emphasizing that immigration agents are acting within the law and under direct presidential authority.
“These law enforcement officers are out there every day doing the work to protect the American people,” Noem said. “They will keep doing that because they believe in enforcing the law, which is exactly what President Trump has charged them with.”
Judge Limits Use of Force
On Friday, a federal judge issued an order barring federal agents from using pepper spray or nonlethal munitions against peaceful protesters, as demonstrations continue across the Minneapolis area. The ruling also prohibits agents from stopping or detaining drivers and passengers unless there is “reasonable articulable suspicion” that individuals are interfering with law enforcement operations.
Noem criticized the ruling, calling it “a little ridiculous,” and argued that it merely restates existing agency policy.
“We only use those chemical agents when there’s violence happening,” she said. “That judge’s order didn’t change anything for how we’re operating on the ground, because it’s basically telling us to do what we’ve already been doing.”
Federal Presence and Public Backlash
Thousands of federal agents have been deployed to the Minneapolis region in recent weeks as part of immigration enforcement operations and investigations into alleged fraud. However, the heightened federal presence has drawn criticism from community leaders and civil rights advocates, who accuse agents of using overly aggressive tactics.
Tensions escalated following reports of violent encounters between protesters and law enforcement. One widely shared incident involved a family who said they and their six children were tear-gassed while driving home from basketball practice.
Noem placed responsibility for such incidents on protesters and local leadership.
“That family was caught up in that situation because of violent protesters that were impeding law enforcement operations,” she said, adding that the mayor and governor had “allowed this kind of violence to be perpetuated across Minneapolis.”
Fatal Shooting Under Scrutiny
The administration is also facing renewed scrutiny after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Good, 37, earlier this month in Minneapolis. The incident has sparked nationwide protests and calls for congressional oversight.
Senate Democrats on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee have urged Republican leadership to summon Noem and White House border czar Tom Homan to testify.
Defending the agent’s actions, Noem claimed that Good “weaponized her car and threatened the life of a law enforcement officer and those around him.” While calling the incident “a tragedy,” she said the officer acted according to his training.
Asked whether the agent was under review, Noem confirmed that the Department of Homeland Security is following standard investigative procedures used in similar cases.
Public Opinion Divided
According to new CBS News polling released Sunday, 54% of Americans believe the shooting of Renee Good was not justified. Opinions remain sharply divided along party lines, with Republicans more likely to support the agent’s actions, while Democrats and independents largely oppose them.
More broadly, 61% of Americans now say ICE’s stopping and detaining practices are too tough, an increase from 56% recorded in November, reflecting growing public concern over federal immigration enforcement tactics.
As protests continue and political pressure mounts, the Minnesota operations have become a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration policy, law enforcement authority, and the limits of federal power.