Secretary Noem: ‘We Will Exercise All Legal Authorities’ to Protect Homeland

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem promised to work closely with staff in keeping the American people ‘first and foremost.’

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks to employees at the Department of Homeland Security, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

As Americans’ “first line of defense,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will pursue all legal avenues for keeping the United States safe, Secretary Kristi Noem said on Jan. 28.

“I tell people, we have jurisdiction over everything, and we will exercise all legal authorities that we have to protect this country because it is the only last light of freedom left,” Noem said, addressing department personnel for the first time.