Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem did not mince words during her visit to the Twin Cities on Friday. She believes the policies and rhetoric of Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey opposing federal efforts to arrest and deport illegal immigrants with criminal records has led to more violent crime in recent years.
“Under the leadership of Mayor Frey, under the leadership of Gov. Walz, more violent crimes are being perpetuated in these communities because of their refusal to defend American citizens,” Noem said during a press conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling on Friday afternoon.
Noem spoke standing in front of a table of drugs and firearms that she says were all seized in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across the metro since January.
The former South Dakota governor’s visit to the Twin Cities was part of the Trump administration’s effort to highlight ICE’s work in removing the “worst of the worst” from the streets. DHS published a list of some of the criminal illegal aliens who have been arrested by ICE in the Twin Cities area, including “repeat child sex abusers, murderers, drunk drivers, and violent assailants.”
One of the individuals, Aldrin Guerrero-Munoz, has been incarcerated since 2004 for the intentional murder of his three-month-old son, according to DHS. He was taken into ICE custody this week.
Since January, DHS efforts have resulted in the arrest and deportation of more than 515,000 illegal aliens across the country, Noem said, emphasizing that those arrested were “breaking our laws.” Seventy percent of the individuals ICE has deported since January had pending or criminal charges against them, Noem added.
Noem on Walz: ‘Just about the worst thing you could ever do’
Noem then shifted to expressing her frustration with Walz for his lack of cooperation and antagonistic rhetoric towards ICE officers.
“I think starting by calling our law enforcement officers Nazis and Gestapo would be just about the worst thing you could ever do,” Noem said. “When you have someone who has taken an oath to give their life to defend communities and to defend this country and our constitution, that’s a horrible thing to say. And I haven’t heard him apologize for it yet either.
“But if he would sign agreements with us to have our backs out on operations, that he would help with the safety and security of our federal officers when they’re out their protecting people and making sure that we’re focused on getting the worst of the worst off our streets as soon as possible, that would be absolutely wonderful. That would be a sea change, that would be fundamental,” Noem continued.
“I don’t know how he sleeps at night. I don’t know how he goes to bed knowing that he’s letting these people walk these streets and there could be more victims the next day. I hope the next family who loses their child to the drugs that are on this table or illegal weapons that are on the streets doesn’t have to put up with a governor like that.”
Alpha News has reached out to the governor’s office to ask for his response to Noem’s public criticism. Walz’s communications staff have not yet replied to that inquiry.
Protesters gathered outside the press conference, many carrying signs and chanting slogans criticizing Noem and ICE agents.
Noem defended the work of federal law enforcement officers, who she said were focused on arresting the most violent illegal aliens living in communities across the country.
“The work that these individuals have done has been incredible,” Noem said. “Under the Trump administration, our president has been focused on protecting American citizens and making America safe again.”
Hank Long
Hank Long is a journalism and communications professional whose writing career includes coverage of the Minnesota legislature, city and county governments and the commercial real estate industry. Hank received his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, where he studied journalism, and his law degree at the University of St. Thomas. The Minnesota native lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and four children. His dream is to be around when the Vikings win the Super Bowl.
