PBD Podcast
PBD Podcast
February 26, 2026

“They Spied On Me” - Sec. Kristi Noem: Secret DHS File Room, El Mencho Fallout & Deep State Purge

Quick Read

Secretary Kristi Noem reveals internal spying within DHS, the discovery of a secret facility with unknown files, and details the Trump administration's aggressive strategies against China and for border security.
Noem's own DHS employees installed spyware on her phone and laptop to record meetings.
A secret, unfacility with unknown files was discovered within DHS, highlighting internal opacity.
DHS cybersecurity operations are currently unfunded by Congress, creating critical national security vulnerabilities.

Summary

Secretary Kristi Noem discusses her experience leading the Department of Homeland Security, including uncovering internal espionage where her own employees installed spyware on her devices and discovering a secret, unfacility within DHS containing unknown files. She details South Dakota's constitutional approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, which kept the state open and led to economic growth. Noem outlines China's long-term strategy for global dominance, its infiltration of critical U.S. infrastructure, and the current lack of funding for DHS's cybersecurity agency. She explains President Trump's multi-faceted approach to border security, including international messaging and repatriation programs, and expresses disappointment in Mexican President Shinbaum's leadership regarding cartels. Noem also raises concerns about the unfunded state of DHS ahead of major events like the World Cup, highlighting potential security vulnerabilities.
This episode provides a rare, insider's view into the operational challenges and political battles within a critical U.S. government agency. Secretary Noem's revelations about internal spying and secret facilities expose significant vulnerabilities and potential corruption within federal institutions, impacting national security and public trust. Her insights into U.S. strategies against China's economic and cyber warfare, as well as the practicalities of border enforcement and the dangers of unfunded security operations, offer a concrete understanding of the threats facing the nation and the efforts to counter them.

Takeaways

  • DHS Secretary Kristi Noem discovered her own employees installed spyware on her devices and found a secret facility with unknown files.
  • Noem believes the 'deep state' is worse than imagined, actively working to remove employees who 'don't love America'.
  • South Dakota's constitutional-based COVID-19 response kept businesses open and led to economic growth, despite federal pressure.
  • South Dakota banned China from owning farmland and banned TikTok on state devices due to national security concerns.
  • China has a 'hundreds, if not thousand-year plan' to become the world's dominating power, targeting U.S. food supply and critical infrastructure.
  • DHS's cybersecurity agency (CISA) is currently unfunded by Congress, leaving critical infrastructure vulnerable to foreign hacking attempts.
  • President Trump's border strategy includes aggressive messaging in other countries and repatriation programs, leading to millions voluntarily returning home.
  • The Biden administration's open border policies allowed human traffickers to exploit children, with the federal government inadvertently funding some 'sponsors' who trafficked children.
  • The upcoming World Cup in the U.S. faces significant security risks due to unfunded DHS operations and the challenge of vetting millions of international visitors.

Insights

1Internal Espionage and Secret Facilities within DHS

Secretary Noem revealed that some of her own employees downloaded software onto her phone and laptop to spy on her and record meetings. This was also done to several other political appointees. Additionally, a secret 'skiff' secure facility was discovered on the DHS campus, containing files unknown to most, with individuals working there on controversial topics.

Elon and his team were extremely helpful to me. They helped me identify that some of my own employees downloaded software on my phone and my laptop to spy on me. To record our meetings. ... I just found the other day a whole room on this campus that was a secret skiff secure facility that had files nobody knew existed. There was individuals working there that had secret files on some of these most controversial topics.

2South Dakota's COVID-19 Response and Economic Outcomes

As Governor of South Dakota, Noem made decisions based on constitutional rights, never closing businesses or mandating masks. This approach, heavily criticized at the time, resulted in a lower loss of life than most states, thriving businesses, and significant population growth.

Every decision that we made in South Dakota was based on the constitution... we were the only state that never once closed businesses. We never mandated that anybody stay home or wear masks. We kept life as normal... we had a lower loss of life than most states. Our businesses thrived. We grew like crazy. People moved to our state by the thousands and we really benefited from embracing our freedom.

3China's Threat to U.S. Food Security and Critical Infrastructure

Noem, with a background in farming, recognized China's long-term plan to control the U.S. food supply by acquiring chemical and fertilizer companies, stealing genetics, and buying land. As DHS Secretary, she observed China's infiltration of U.S. technologies, financial systems, and ports, noting that Chinese-owned equipment at ports like Los Angeles could manipulate shipments and data. China also relentlessly hacks into U.S. electrical grids, water systems, and election infrastructure.

The country that controls our food supply will control us and that that is China's goal every day... We banned China from being able to own farmland in South Dakota... Most of those machines and devices and technologies that are utilized [at the LA port] are owned by China. And they have the ability to know what's coming in, what's leaving, manipulate those shipments... Every day we still see people that are hacking into our systems and making us more vulnerable from China, from Iran, from Russia.

4Unfunded DHS Cybersecurity Poses National Security Risk

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within DHS, responsible for hardening U.S. systems against hacking attempts and protecting critical infrastructure, is largely unfunded by Congress. This means many individuals tasked with hunting down bad actors and securing systems are furloughed, leaving the nation vulnerable.

SISA, the cyber security agency. the vast majority of those individuals that hunt down bad actors and then help us harden our systems so that we can't be vulnerable to those hacking attempts, uh, they're furoughed right now because, um, Democrats in Congress have chosen not to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

5Trump Administration's Border Security and Repatriation Strategy

President Trump's strategy involves securing the border, empowering ICE agents, and running commercials in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico to deter illegal immigration. The administration also facilitates voluntary returns by providing plane tickets, financial aid ($2,600 upon landing), and negotiating housing, job training, and education programs in home countries. Those detained and removed are permanently barred from legal entry.

He had me run commercials in other countries... 'Do not come to the United States anymore illegally. Our border is closed. If you come here, we will arrest you. We will detain you, and we will take you back home, and you'll never get the chance to come to the United States.'... We buy them a plane ticket. We give them $2,600 when they land in their country... In some of these countries, they've set up housing for these individuals. When they leave the United States and go home, they'll help them with housing. They'll get them trained to fill a job... They'll educate the children.

6DHS Efforts to Combat Child Trafficking and Prevent Future 9/11s

Under the previous administration, over 400,000 children were lost, with some placed into government programs where 'sponsors' trafficked them. DHS has since found and relocated over 150,000 of these children. To prevent future trafficking, DNA testing was reinstituted at the border to verify family relationships. Noem expresses daily concern about preventing another 9/11, highlighting vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the existence of fake training entities used by potential terrorists.

We saw over 400,000 children be lost under the last administration... we were actually the federal government was paying people who went out and then trafficked these children... We have since found over 150,000 of those children... We started using DNA testing again at the border so that we would know if that individual that came to the border, if they said that child was theirs, we DNA tested them to make sure... I don't sleep well at night. that I I think every day that I have to hurry up and find those individuals before they have an opportunity to harm the United States.

Bottom Line

The Department of Homeland Security's cybersecurity agency (CISA) is largely unfunded by Congress, leading to furloughs of personnel responsible for protecting critical U.S. infrastructure from sophisticated foreign hacking attempts.

So What?

This lack of funding directly compromises national security, leaving the electrical grid, water systems, and election infrastructure vulnerable to attacks from adversaries like China, Iran, and Russia, potentially causing widespread disruption and data loss.

Impact

Advocate for immediate and consistent funding for CISA, emphasizing its role in safeguarding essential services and national defense. Public awareness campaigns could highlight the direct threat posed by underfunding this critical agency.

The upcoming World Cup in the U.S. (with 6-10 million visitors) is designated a national security event, yet DHS operations responsible for its security are currently unfunded, preventing necessary preparations like drone procurement and city security grants.

So What?

This creates a significant security gap for a high-profile international event, making it a potential target for bad actors and risking the safety of millions of attendees. The lack of preparation could have severe consequences for public safety and international reputation.

Impact

Push for bipartisan emergency funding for DHS to secure the World Cup and other major events. Develop rapid deployment protocols for security technologies and personnel, even in the absence of full funding, by leveraging private sector partnerships or reallocating existing resources.

The 'deep state' within the federal government is not merely a concept but an active force, with employees engaging in internal spying and maintaining secret facilities, actively undermining administrations.

So What?

This internal subversion erodes trust in government, compromises national security, and hinders effective governance. It suggests a systemic issue where unelected officials can obstruct policy and spy on elected leaders, creating an environment of distrust and inefficiency.

Impact

Implement robust internal audit and oversight mechanisms with external, independent review. Foster a culture of transparency and accountability, potentially through whistleblower protections and clear protocols for reporting and investigating internal misconduct, ensuring loyalty to the Constitution rather than political agendas.

Lessons

  • Demand greater transparency and accountability from federal agencies by supporting investigations into internal spying and unauthorized facilities within government departments like DHS.
  • Advocate for robust and consistent funding for critical national security agencies, particularly DHS's cybersecurity division (CISA), to protect against foreign hacking and secure major events.
  • Educate yourself on the long-term strategic threats posed by nations like China, recognizing their efforts to control global supply chains, infiltrate technology, and influence critical infrastructure.

Notable Moments

Discovery of employees spying on Secretary Noem and a secret DHS facility.

This reveals a profound level of internal subversion and lack of transparency within a critical national security agency, raising serious questions about accountability and trust.

Revelation that DHS's cybersecurity agency (CISA) is unfunded by Congress, leading to furloughs.

This highlights a critical and immediate national security vulnerability, as the agency responsible for protecting the nation's digital infrastructure is unable to operate effectively.

Discussion of the World Cup in the U.S. as a national security event with unfunded DHS preparations.

This points to a looming security crisis for a major international event, potentially exposing millions of visitors to threats due to governmental funding impasses.

Quotes

"

"The problem with China is they don't just have a 5-year plan to damage the United States. They have a hundreds, if not thousand-year plan to become the world dominating power."

Kristi Noem
"

"Elon and his team were extremely helpful to me. They helped me identify that some of my own employees downloaded software on my phone and my laptop to spy on me. To record our meetings."

Kristi Noem
"

"I just found the other day a whole room on this campus that was a secret skiff secure facility that had files nobody knew existed. There was individuals working there that had secret files on some of these most controversial topics."

Kristi Noem
"

"I always believed when people talked about the deep state that it existed. I never would have dreamed that it was as bad as it is."

Kristi Noem
"

"We banned China from being able to own farmland in South Dakota. I got aggressive on them as far as our intellectual property and technology as well. And then I even was the first governor to ban Tik Tok from them to being able to be used on our state devices."

Kristi Noem
"

"Most of those machines and devices and technologies that are utilized [at the Los Angeles port] are owned by China. And they have the ability to know what's coming in, what's leaving, manipulate those shipments, if they're screened or not screened."

Kristi Noem
"

"SISA, the cyber security agency. the vast majority of those individuals that hunt down bad actors and then help us harden our systems so that we can't be vulnerable to those hacking attempts, uh, they're furoughed right now because, um, Democrats in Congress have chosen not to fund the Department of Homeland Security."

Kristi Noem
"

"If you come here, we will arrest you. We will detain you, and we will take you back home, and you'll never get the chance to come to the United States."

Kristi Noem
"

"I've been disappointed in her leadership. She could have shown more strength in the last year... she may have people within her own military which are facilitating a lot of the work that the cartels are doing."

Kristi Noem
"

"We've removed over a thousand people I think 1500 people that have been on the known and suspected terrorist watch list. um people that are known terrorists that were led into this country through that Biden administration open border policy."

Kristi Noem

Q&A

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