DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday evening that her agency has identified individuals responsible for leaking internal information, including details about an upcoming Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Los Angeles.
Noem vowed to hold the leakers accountable, emphasizing that such actions put law enforcement officers’ lives at risk and compromise national security.
The controversy began on February 7 when the Los Angeles Times published a report based on a leaked internal memo detailing plans for a large-scale ICE raid in the Los Angeles area. The memo outlined an operation targeting “criminal aliens,” including individuals convicted of serious crimes such as rape and murder. The leak sparked widespread protests in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles. Critics accused the Biden-Harris administration of enabling mass deportations, while supporters argued the operation was necessary for public safety.
On February 10, Noem suggested that “corrupt” FBI agents might be behind the leak, a claim echoed by border czar Tom Homan the following day. During her appearance on Hannity, Noem confirmed that some of the leakers had been identified but did not specify the number of individuals involved or the agencies they belonged to.
“I have found some leakers. We are continuing to get more. They will be fired. There will be consequences,” Noem said. “When they leak information to the press in order to blow an operation, they are putting law enforcement lives in jeopardy. They are risking their lives and putting their families in the position where they have to live without those individuals any further.”
Noem detailed the measures being taken to identify and address the leaks, including the use of polygraph tests and scrutiny of employees’ emails and communications. “We have used every tactic that we have,” she said. “It’s amazing how these bureaucrats who have an agenda to stop the work that we’re doing to bring safety to America will sell each other down the river just to protect themselves.”
The DHS secretary’s comments come amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement policies. Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, his administration has reversed several Biden-Harris-era policies, empowering ICE agents to arrest and deport individuals with criminal records. However, these efforts have faced significant pushback from activists and local governments in sanctuary cities, where officials have vowed to resist federal immigration enforcement.
Fox News host Sean Hannity questioned Noem on whether leaking such sensitive information constituted a crime, noting the risks posed to agents.
“Absolutely,” Noem responded. “When they are breaking the law, we are prosecuting and holding them accountable to it. We’re not here to play games. This is about America.”
Noem also reaffirmed her commitment to supporting law enforcement officers and their families.
“We honor the work that you do. We will take care of your family. We will take care of you. And we’ll go after those that threaten your lives by leaking this type of information,” she said.
The DHS has not yet provided additional details about the identified leakers, including their names, positions, or the agencies they work for.
