DHS deploys body cameras to officers in Minneapolis; plans national expansion

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said federal officers in Minneapolis will be equipped with body-worn cameras effective immediately, with plans to expand the program nationwide as funding allows.

Noem announced the deployment Monday in a social media post, saying she had spoken with Tom Homan, the director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

“Effective immediately we are deploying body cameras to every officer in the field in Minneapolis,” Noem said. “We will rapidly acquire and deploy body cameras to DHS law enforcement across the country.”

Asked about the announcement at the White House, Trump said it was not his decision. “It wasn’t my decision, I leave it to her,” he said.

Trump added that body cameras “generally tend to be good for law enforcement because people can’t lie about what’s happening,” calling them “80% good for law enforcement,” and said, “If she wants to do that, I’m ok with it.”

The announcement follows two fatal shootings involving federal agents during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis in January. Renée Good, a 37-year-old American citizen, was shot and killed on Jan. 7 by an ICE agent following an immigration operation.

Weeks later, a Border Patrol agent shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident and Veterans Affairs ICU nurse.