Noem blasts critics of federal officers, condemns Afghan national suspect as ‘depraved individual’
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday denounced the Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guardsmen, calling him a “depraved individual” who entered the United States under a Biden administration program four years ago.
In a fiery post on social media, Noem sharply rebuked critics of federal officers and warned against what she described as rising hostility toward those who serve.
“The suspect who shot our brave National Guardsmen is an Afghan national who was one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome on September 8, 2021, under the Biden Administration,” Noem said. “I will not utter this depraved individual’s name. He should be starved of the glory he so desperately wants.”
Noem then shifted her remarks toward those who, she said, undermine or attack federal law enforcement and military personnel.
“These men and women of the National Guard are mothers, fathers, sisters, daughters — children of God — carrying out the same basic public safety and immigration laws that have been on the books for decades,” Noem said. “The politicians and media who continue to vilify our men and women in uniform need to take a long, hard look in the mirror.”
“Bryon and I will be praying hard for these two National Guardsmen, their families, and every American who puts on a uniform to defend our freedom,” Noem added, referring to her husband.