**Chicagoans React to Firing of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Amid Immigration Controversy**
CHICAGO (WLS) — The firing of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been a demand echoed by many Chicagoans over recent months. Protesters took to the streets in Chicago and Broadview, expressing frustration over her handling of federal immigration operations.
“We see a pattern she has left — no empathy, just arrest anyone. We’ll do what we want to do,” said Baltazar Enriquez, President of the Little Village Community Council.
Enriquez described Thursday as a “win for democracy” following President Donald Trump’s announcement of Noem’s replacement. Noem had been at the forefront of federal immigration efforts in Chicago, which were marked by clashes between federal agents and protesters throughout the city, especially in Broadview.
Her department also faced multiple lawsuits alleging a lack of accountability during these operations. Enriquez believes this lack of transparency and the agency’s controversial spending contributed to Noem’s dismissal.
“I think that’s the reason she got fired — she does whatever she wants. There’s no accountability, no transparency with her agency and spending millions of dollars on stupidity that’s unnecessary,” Enriquez added.
President Trump announced that Noem will be transitioning to a new role as Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas in Florida.
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**Reactions from Officials and Community Leaders**
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker did not hold back in his response to Noem’s departure.
“Hey Kristi Noem, don’t let the door hit you on the way out,” Pritzker said in a social media video. “Here’s your legacy: corruption and chaos, parents and children tear-gassed, moms and nurses, U.S. citizens getting shot in the face.”
Shortly after the announcement, Noem made a public appearance at the Major Cities Conference in Nashville but did not directly address her firing. Instead, she commented on the challenges faced by her department while operating in sanctuary cities like Chicago.
“Sanctuary cities do give the U.S. a challenge because it makes it difficult at times for law enforcement to do their work,” Noem said. “We’ve seen many times when a city cooperates with our federal government, cooperates with our federal officers, that it is safer.”
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**Next Steps for DHS Leadership**
President Trump expressed his gratitude for Noem’s service and announced Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin as the next DHS Secretary.
Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement criticizing Noem’s tenure:
“In Kristi Noem’s time fleecing the American people with her derelict leadership at DHS, Chicago has withstood targeted attacks by DHS and the federal agents under its purview who have incited chaos in our communities with their violence and callous disregard for our residents’ most basic human rights.
Instead of seeking collaboration, Noem weaponized fear to undermine trust between communities and local law enforcement who work every day to keep our communities safe. Her tenure will be remembered by her brazen corruption, the reckless exploitation of vulnerable families to advance a far-right agenda, and willingness to put the President’s interests over those of the American people.”
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**Previous Coverage**
[DHS secretary at Broadview ICE facility as protesters clash with agents; village files lawsuit]
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