Border Czar Tom Homan has very telling response on who's REALLY in charge of ICE
President Donald Trump's Border Czar Tom Homan - who has reportedly clashed with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem - says she's firmly in charge.
The cordial answer may come as a surprise to some after Noem and Homan's reported power struggle over which Trump appointee controls the President's sweeping deportation agenda.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) caused a firestorm of controversy for its latest operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which resulted in over 4,000 criminal alien arrests and the deaths of two Americans at the hands of federal agents.
Trump noted that deportation plans could use a 'softer touch' after the tragic killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, seen by some as a subtle dig against Noem. The president later deployed Homan to the city to wind down the operation and restore order.
The DHS secretary and the Border Czar have publicly complimented each other, though behind the scenes, aides at DHS have told the Daily Mail that Noem and Homan are engaged in a power struggle for control over immigration enforcement.
Now, as the Trump administration deals with fury over its immigration operations in Minnesota and beyond, Homan is emphasizing that Noem is the one in charge of DHS, not him.
Speaking on The Story with Martha McCallum on Friday, Homan told the Fox News host that Noem is in control of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The host asked: 'Are you going to be the face of those operations from now on?'
Border Czar Tom Homan gave a surprisingly supportive answer of DHS Sec Kristi Noem when pressed by Fox News
Homan has internally sparred with DHS Sec Kristi Noem, insiders have told the Daily Mail
'No, you know, Secretary Noem oversees ICE and CBP,' Homan said, elevating Noem and clarifying that she is in charge of DHS.
'I'll do what I've been doing...I'll advise and give strategic guidance,' Homan added. 'You know, I'm the Border Czar, so I got a lot of work to do on the border.'
Widespread reports paint a culture of fear among the rank-and-file in Homeland Security as Noem and her chief advisor and rumored lover Cory Lewandowski openly began firing and demoting officials not viewed as loyal to her for the past year.
The department has splintered into two camps: those loyal to Noem and a bloc of career law enforcement officials aligned with Homan, multiple DHS insiders have revealed.
Noem, who has been the subject of much scrutiny during her first year on the job, has a sweeping portfolio that contains much more than just deportation operations.
The DHS chief, in addition to running ICE and CBP, also oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
'I'll do whatever I can because the President has made a promise to the American people there will be mass deportations, but he's going to prioritize public safety threats first,' Homan told the Fox News host.
On the Sunday shows this week, Homan staunchly defended immigration agents wearing masks for 'safety reasons' - despite the fact that he himself does not like it - as he championed ICE efforts during Minnesota's Metro Surge as 'a win.'
ICE agents depart the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on February 4, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. White House Border Czar Tom Homan announced that week that 700 immigration enforcement personnel would be withdrawn from Minnesota, following weeks of operations and the fatal shooting of two protesters
He admitted to CBS News's Ed O'Keefe on: 'As far as the mask look, you know I don't like the masks either.'
'But because threats against ICE officers are up over 1500 percent actual assaults and threats are up over 8000 percent. These men and woman have to protect themselves.'
Homan refuted claims that they are unidentifiable, telling the outlet that all agents wear placards.
'There is identifying marks, but masks, you know, why don't they talk about maybe passing legislation to make it illegal to dox agents or something like that?' Homan asked. 'But the masks right now are for officer safety reasons.'
