Blue-State Governors Turn Up the Heat on Noem, DHS Hits Back Hard [WATCH]

Two Democratic governors from sanctuary states are continuing to criticize Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following President Donald Trump’s decision to move her into a diplomatic role, while federal officials say the accusations against her are misplaced and politically motivated, as reported by Fox News.

President Trump recently announced his intention to replace Noem at the Department of Homeland Security with Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.

At the same time, the president said Noem would transition into a new position as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a coalition of Latin American countries, announced Saturday, that will collaborate on drug cartel crime interdiction.

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Despite the change in roles, officials in Illinois and Minnesota indicated they intend to continue examining Noem’s actions during federal immigration enforcement operations carried out during her tenure.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker released a video statement following the announcement, sharply criticizing Noem and signaling that her conduct during federal operations in his state will continue to face scrutiny.

“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out,” Pritzker said in the video.

He added, “Here’s your legacy: Corruption and chaos. Parents and children tear-gassed. Moms and nurses, U.S. citizens getting shot in the face. Now that you’re gone, don’t think you get to just walk away.”

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“I guarantee you, you will still be held accountable.”

When asked whether his remarks indicated possible hearings or investigations in Illinois that could involve Noem, the governor’s office provided a more detailed written statement to Fox News Digital.

“From excessive uses of force near homes, schools, and hospitals to tear-gassing entire neighborhoods, Kristi Noem oversaw the use of military-style tactics against our own citizens and neighbors,” Pritzker said in the statement.

“It is long past time she steps down from her role, but we cannot ever let that excuse her from justice or accountability. Illinois will continue demanding answers and exposing the unacceptable conduct harming Americans that happened on her watch,” he added.

Pritzker also pointed to the Illinois Accountability Commission, which he launched earlier this year.

TUNE IN: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker delivers a message to Kristi Noem.

“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

“Now that you’re gone, don’t think you just get to walk away. I guarantee you will still be held accountable!”pic.twitter.com/0dOJkW03HZ

— Resist the Mainstream (@ResisttheMS) March 6, 2026

The panel was created to collect public records related to federal law enforcement actions in Illinois and recommend corrective actions aimed at what the state describes as holding the federal government accountable.

The governor asked the commission to examine decisions made by Noem and other Trump administration officials related to Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago.

Pritzker also referenced moments from Noem’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, including questions from Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., about the secretary labeling certain U.S.-citizen agitators as “domestic terrorists.”

The governor also highlighted questioning from Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., about the shooting of her dog and a multimillion-dollar advertising contract that reportedly angered President Trump.

Fox News Digital contacted Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Oak Brook, about the possibility of hearings in Springfield, but had not received confirmation by press time.

Ruben Castillo, the Pritzker-appointed chairman of the Illinois Accountability Commission and a retired federal judge who was appointed to the Northern District of Illinois by President Bill Clinton, issued a statement supporting the commission’s role.

“My three decades of legal experience have always shown that the statements and related actions of parties show motive and intent. This situation is no different,” Castillo said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security rejected the governor’s effort to scrutinize federal officials.

“What Governor Pritzker is trying to do is unlawful, and he knows it. Federal officials acting in the course of their duties are immune from liability under state law,” the spokesperson said.

The DHS official added that critics should instead examine political rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement.

“Politicians are laying blame at the feet of law enforcement instead of looking in the mirror at how they have fueled the hatred and violent attacks we are seeing against federal law enforcement officers.”

The spokesperson also argued that immigration enforcement operations have removed individuals with serious criminal histories.

The department pointed to recent arrests, including Alfonso Batalla-Garcia, described as a criminal illegal alien from Mexico convicted of homicide, sexual assault, kidnapping, and kidnapping an adult to sexually assault.

Officials also cited the detention of Mexican national Leonardo Ignot-Osto, who had a prior conviction for abducting a child, and Luis Chavez, described as a member of the Latin Kings gang with convictions related to battery and gun charges.

Another case referenced by DHS involved Angkham Souvongkham, a criminal illegal alien from Laos with convictions that included domestic violence, assault, larceny, burglary, weapons offenses, and terroristic threats.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz also raised the possibility of investigations into Noem’s actions.

Speaking last week on MS NOW with former Obama administration press secretary Jennifer Psaki, Walz said he believes further scrutiny is necessary.

“I think that that’s one of our founding principles, that no one’s above the law, and they’re accountable,” Walz said.

“I would just say at this time that former Secretary Noem should probably get used to spending more time in Minnesota, because I have a pretty good feeling in the future she may be doing that because we have got to get accountability.”

Walz also urged senators to delay the confirmation of Mullin until Minnesota officials are allowed to participate in investigations related to the agent-involved shooting deaths of anti-enforcement activists Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

“Don’t vote for anything until they let us be part of the investigation into these murders,” Walz said, addressing senators, according to The Hill.

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