Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem rejected criticism over her recent comments about ensuring “we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders,” dismissing the backlash as manufactured outrage and defending her remarks as common sense.
Responding on social media to renewed criticism during a CNN interview with border czar Tom Homan, Noem said critics were exaggerating her comments.
She wrote that it “must be exhausting to regularly manufacture outrage even over the most commonsense statements,” adding that election systems should make it easy and secure for eligible citizens to vote while preventing non-citizens from casting ballots. She said the choice of candidates ultimately belongs to voters.
The controversy stems from remarks Noem made last week in Arizona while promoting national voter ID legislation.
At the press conference, she argued that elections fall under the Department of Homeland Security’s role in protecting critical infrastructure and suggested DHS can identify vulnerabilities and apply mitigation measures to ensure elections are carried out properly.
Her statement that officials should ensure “we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders to lead this country” drew swift criticism from Democratic lawmakers and voting rights advocates, who warned the language implied government involvement in shaping election outcomes.
The criticism comes as DHS faces heightened scrutiny over its enforcement approach under President Trump’s immigration agenda. Pressure on the department intensified after two fatal shootings in Minneapolis involving federal immigration officers, which sparked protests and calls for greater accountability.
The administration has defended DHS leadership, arguing its actions are aimed at protecting national security and election integrity.
