Noem defends Minnesota ICE operations, says judge's order "didn't change anything" [View all]
Source: CBS News
January 18, 2026 / 12:02 PM EST
Washington — Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the Trump administration's ongoing immigration operations in Minnesota on Sunday, while saying that a federal judge's order limiting the tactics federal agents can use "didn't change anything."
"These law enforcement officers are out there every day doing the work to protect the American people, and they will keep doing that because they believe in enforcing the law, which is exactly what President Trump has charged them with," Noem said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."
A federal judge on Friday blocked federal law enforcement from using pepper spray or nonlethal munitions on peaceful protesters as demonstrations continue. The judge also barred federal agents from stopping or detaining drivers and passengers when there is "no reasonable articulable suspicion" that people driving near protests are forcibly interfering with law enforcement operations.
On Sunday, Noem called the order "a little ridiculous." "We only use those chemical agents when there's violence happening and perpetuating and you need to be able to establish law and order to keep people safe," Noem said. "So 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."
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/noem-defends-minnesota-ice-operations-says-judges-order-didnt-change-anything/
Need to whip out the "Lock her up!" chant.
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