Kristi Noem stumbled over her words as she tried to speak over sirens and protesters that drowned out her press conference on Thursday.
The embattled homeland security secretary, 54, appeared rattled by the chaotic scene that broke out in San Diego, California, as she tried to tout the success of the Trump administration’s hardline border security and anti-drug agenda amid plummeting public support for ICE.
Even before Noem walked up to the podium in Otay Mesa, which was surrounded by “evidence” boxes and what appeared to be bags of seized drugs, the venue was already shrouded in incessant siren noise.
Noem started by reading prepared remarks boasting about how the Trump administration is “winning” the fight against drug cartels and calling out what she described as increasing instances of assault against ICE agents.
But when Noem started her Q&A, protesters joined the blaring sirens, causing her to struggle to hear questions from the press.
“Well, that–they’re obviously expect–expressing their First Amendment rights, and we welcome that, as long as they do so peaceful–peacefully, I think it’s a wonderful thing,” she said of the protesters after forcing an awkward smile.
ABC7’s Bianca Buono reported that protesters gathered outside the venue of Noem’s press conference before she had even arrived. Clips showed demonstrators holding massive signs, including one that read, “Keep the immigrants, deport the racists.”
HAPPENING NOW: A protest has broken out in Otay Mesa directly outside the facility where Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is expected to speak shortly. @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/MIl7wocIGd
— Bianca Buono (@abc7bianca) February 12, 2026
Footage taken by journalist Wendy Fry showed protesters chanting “Arrest Kristi Noem” while waving flags, flashing signs, and even wearing costumes.
Big protest outside where Secretary Noem spoke earlier today in Otay Mesa about fentanyl interdictions, the DHS funding bill and future operations which she stressed will be targeted enforcement. pic.twitter.com/wjYOYv95qO
— WendyFry (@WendyFry_) February 12, 2026
A Department of Homeland Security shutdown is imminent after Democrats in the Senate blocked a measure funding the agency, citing dissatisfaction with concessions from the White House on several of their demands, including substantial reforms to ICE.
Noem blasted Democratic lawmakers over the move.
“We’re concerned about the Department of Homeland Security not being funded. In fact, I think it’s the wrong message to send to the world at this point in time,” she said. “That’s telling the rest of the world [that] the Democrat party doesn’t think that protecting America is safe. It’s the wrong message to send.”
“I hope that they will come to their senses, recognize that the American people need to come first, and have a policy discussion that we should be having on a policy bill in regards to any reforms that they want to see,” she added.
Earlier on Thursday, border czar Tom Homan announced that the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota had ended after operations killed two Americans and triggered a firestorm on the streets.
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