Homeland Security & Leaks

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has vowed criminal prosecution after identifying an alleged DHS "prolific leaker," a move press‑freedom groups say fits a broader Trump‑era crackdown that resumed last spring when DOJ lifted a Biden‑era pause on subpoenas of journalists and stepped up efforts to identify reporters' sources. Organizations including the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and the Freedom of the Press Foundation call the campaign "terrifying" and "chilling," arguing it aims to punish scrutiny (not just protect security), pointing to FBI searches, criminal referrals and arrests, disputed claims like Noem’s "8,000%" increase in threats, and the public importance of leaks about ICE authority, DHS labeling protesters "domestic terrorists," and ICE data‑sharing with the White House.