The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, issued a direct warning against anyone who attacks federal agents, stating that those who assault law enforcement officers “will be pursued, prosecuted, and will face the full weight of the law.”
During a press conference held in New York, Noem was extremely blunt amidst the tension surrounding the recent case of Renee Nicole Good's death at the hands of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minnesota.
Additionally, it addressed the balance of the immigration policy of the second administration of Donald Trump.
According to the official, since the beginning of the current administration, more than 650,000 irregular immigrants have been arrested, detained, and deported, while another two million people have voluntarily self-deported, bringing the total number of foreigners who have left the country to 2.6 million.
"Thanks to President Trump, 2.6 million people who should not have been in the United States are no longer here," Noem stated. She added that those who left voluntarily retain the possibility of returning in the future through legal channels.
The secretary also referred to the death of Renee Nicole, a 37-year-old woman who died on January 7 in Minneapolis after being shot multiple times by an ICE officer. Noem asserted that the woman used her vehicle as a weapon, which led the officer to act to protect his life and that of his colleagues.
"The vehicle was used to run over an officer. It was a violent act, and the officer felt that his life was in danger," he explained, while confirming that there is an ongoing investigation and that the involved officer is an experienced official who "acted in accordance with his training."
In the context of recent clashes between protesters and federal forces, Noem toughened her rhetoric and made it clear that the administration will not tolerate aggressions against the authorities.
"We warn anyone who believes they can harm a U.S. citizen or law enforcement officer: we will find you and bring you to justice," he declared.
"If you lay a finger on one of our officers, we will catch you, prosecute you, and you will feel the full weight of the law," he concluded.
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