Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced Friday that her agency has identified two individuals within DHS suspected of leaking sensitive information about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, actions she says have endangered law enforcement lives and jeopardized critical missions.
The announcement, delivered via a video statement, marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s crackdown on internal leaks that have plagued recent immigration enforcement efforts.
“Everyone, I wanted to give you a quick update,” Noem said in the video. “We have identified two leakers of information here at the Department of Homeland Security who have been telling individuals about our operations and putting law enforcement lives in jeopardy. We plan to prosecute these two individuals and hold them accountable for what they’ve done, and we’re going to continue to do all that we can to keep America safe.”
DHS officials confirmed that the two suspects, whose identities have not been disclosed, were caught sharing details of ICE operations with external targets.
A DHS spokesperson provided a statement, underscoring the severity of the response: “We are preparing to refer these perpetrators to the DOJ for felony prosecutions. These individuals face up to 10 years in federal prison. We will find and root out all leakers. They will face prison time, and we will get justice for the American people.”
The referrals to the Department of Justice (DOJ) signal the administration’s intent to pursue criminal charges, though any prosecution will ultimately depend on DOJ discretion. Legal experts note that the accused will be entitled to due process, requiring either a guilty plea or a conviction in court before any prison time is imposed.
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The announcement follows a string of high-profile ICE operation leaks that have drawn sharp criticism from Trump administration officials. In Aurora, Colorado, last month, a widely publicized raid targeting Venezuelan gang members from Tren de Aragua yielded only limited arrests after media reports tipped off the targets days in advance.
Similar incidents occurred in Los Angeles and Virginia, where leaked details disrupted enforcement actions, prompting outrage from figures like Noem and Border Czar Tom Homan.
“These leaks are putting ICE officers in jeopardy and undermining our ability to secure the homeland,” Noem said in a prior statement.
The Trump administration has made immigration enforcement a cornerstone of its agenda, with Noem at the forefront since her Senate confirmation in January. Her aggressive stance on leaks—backed by tools like polygraph tests and communication audits—reflects a broader push to root out internal resistance.
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“We’re not here to play games,” Noem told Fox News’ Sean Hannity earlier this month. “When they break the law, we will prosecute and hold them accountable.”
While DHS has taken the first step by identifying the alleged leakers, the ball now shifts to the DOJ, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, to determine whether to press charges.
The leaks have fueled a broader narrative of bureaucratic pushback against Trump’s policies, with Noem and others pointing fingers at “deep state” elements within federal agencies. Critics, however, caution that the rush to prosecute could chill legitimate whistleblowing, while supporters argue it’s a necessary step to restore operational integrity.
For now, the identities of the two accused remain under wraps as the referral process unfolds. As ICE continues its stepped-up raids nationwide, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how the administration handles dissent within its ranks—and whether its promise of “justice for the American people” comes to fruition.
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DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Identifies Leakers Within Department, Signals Prosecutions
