Kristi Noem Shuts Down NBC Host Over Texas Flood and ICE Raid Claims [WATCH]

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker” on Sunday to address federal disaster relief efforts in Texas and ongoing immigration enforcement operations, including last week’s ICE raid on a marijuana cultivation site in California.

Noem responded to criticism regarding the pace of the federal response to catastrophic flooding in Texas, which has displaced thousands and prompted widespread evacuations.

NBC anchor Kristen Welker questioned whether a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy requiring the Secretary’s personal approval for FEMA contracts over $100,000 had contributed to delays in emergency deployment.

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“You know, those claims are absolutely false,” Secretary Noem said.

“Within just an hour or two after the flooding we had resources from the Department of Homeland Security there, helping those individuals in Texas. It was a heartbreaking scene. And I think it’s been well covered about what the Coast Guard did, how they were deployed immediately and helped rescue so many individuals from those floodwaters.”

Noem stated that U.S. Border Patrol tactical teams and FEMA personnel were also deployed rapidly and asserted that the call centers were “fully staffed and responsive.”

She added, “This is the fastest I believe, in years, maybe decades, that FEMA has been deployed to help individuals in this type of a situation.”

“Within just an hour or two after the flooding, we had resources from @DHSgov there helping those individuals in Texas,” says @Sec_Noem.

“This is the fastest, I believe, in years, maybe decades, that FEMA has been deployed to help individuals in this type of a situation.” pic.twitter.com/H97L2QdzRW

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 13, 2025

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Welker cited anonymous claims from individuals within FEMA that suggested the policy may have slowed urban search and rescue efforts.

Noem pushed back, stating, “Those claims are false. They’re from people who won’t put their name behind those claims.”

The interview then shifted focus to the recent ICE operation in California that resulted in the apprehension of more than 300 illegal aliens at a cannabis cultivation site.

The raid, which took place in Ventura County, included the detention of 319 individuals and the rescue of 14 unaccompanied minors, according to DHS.

Welker questioned the use of physical appearance in enforcement efforts, referencing a comment made by White House Border Czar Tom Homan, who said that appearance had been a factor in identifying individuals for questioning.

“The facts of how we do our investigations and our case work and what ICE officers are doing today is they’re going out there and building a case just like other law enforcement officers do,” Secretary Noem said.

“They’re going out there and doing the investigative work, gathering the information to decide how we’re going to run our ops and how we’re going to target individuals.”

Noem emphasized that the enforcement action prioritized serious offenders.

“Overwhelmingly, people have heard the president say over and over again about how important it is that we continue to go after the worst of the worst,” she said.

“This week, we’ve got murderers off the street, rapists, child pedophiles.”

Referring to the California facility, Noem added, “If you look at that marijuana grow facility that we recently just did an operation on, over 319 individuals were brought into custody and 14 unaccompanied children — that means they don’t have their parents with them. They’re working in a facility where they could be exploited, trafficked, maybe sex trafficked. And then we’ve got individuals there who are working at the same facility who are creating, distributing, and taking advantage of children for child pornography.”

“This week, we’ve got murderers off the street, rapists, child pedophiles,” says @Sec_Noem.

“If you look at that marijuana grow facility that we recently just did an operation on, over 319 individuals were brought into custody — and 14 unaccompanied children.” pic.twitter.com/BHrqcGxEqL

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 13, 2025

The ICE raid on the facility, which is under federal investigation, sparked criticism from California officials including Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Jimmy Gomez.

Homeland Security officials have defended the operation, citing public safety concerns and the involvement of minors at the site.

As the Trump administration continues to ramp up enforcement under federal immigration laws and responds to natural disasters across the country, Secretary Noem reiterated the administration’s stance that public safety and the protection of vulnerable populations remain top priorities.