Kristi Noem Accuses FBI of Leaking ICE Raids

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has accused the FBI of corruption, alleging that the bureau leaked plans for large-scale immigration enforcement operations in the Los Angeles area.

Vowing to take action against what she called "crooked deep state agents," Noem condemned the leaks, which she said undermined federal efforts to enforce immigration laws.

Newsweek contacted the Department of Homeland Security for further comment via email outside normal office hours.

Why It Matters

Immigration was a key element of President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign and helped Republicans sweep to power on a national level. While large majorities of both Democrats and Republicans agree that the immigration system is broken, as indicated in a recent New York Times/Ipsos poll, Americans disagree on how policies such as deportations should be carried out.

What To Know

On Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing an internal government document it had reviewed, that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would oversee a large-scale operation targeting individuals without legal status in the U.S. or those with pending removal orders.

The Times said the document had been shared with certain government officials last week. According to the outlet, a federal law enforcement source, speaking anonymously out of fear of reprisal, said officers and agents from the Los Angeles FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration were being brought in to assist with the immigration enforcement operation.

"They needed more bodies," the official told the Times.

On Thursday, Tom Homan, Trump's border czar, blamed media leaks for hindering a large-scale operation in a Denver suburb.

Since last month, federal agencies, including the DEA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, have been assisting ICE.

During his campaign, Trump pledged to conduct the largest mass deportation program in U.S. history. Upon returning to office, the president overturned a policy that restricted ICE operations near sensitive locations, such as schools, churches and hospitals.

Thousands have gathered in downtown Los Angeles in recent days to protest Trump's immigration policies, including mass deportations. Demonstrators temporarily blocked the 101 Freeway last week, and a person was stabbed during an altercation near Spring Street on Friday afternoon.

What People Are Saying

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday: "The FBI is so corrupt. We will work with any and every agency to stop leaks and prosecute these crooked deep state agents to the fullest extent of the law.

Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox Report on Sunday: "Well, you know, if anyone leaks anything—people don't understand that jeopardizes the lives of our great men and women in law enforcement, and if you leaked it, we will find out who you are, and we will come after you. It's not going to stop our mission. It's not going to stop the president's mission to make America safe again …

"It very well could rise to the level of obstruction, and we will be looking at every single case where someone jeopardizes the lives of the great men and women in law enforcement, and you will be held accountable if you leak."

What Happens Next

The Trump administration is expected to continue large-scale immigration enforcement operations across major U.S. cities in the coming weeks.