Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Thursday that the Trump administration is taking an aggressive stance to safeguard the nation, emphasizing that “we are on offense” and utilizing all available resources to ensure the security of American citizens.

Noem’s statement came during a visit to New York City, where she praised the achievements of Operation Salvo. This initiative was launched following an assault on an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer in the city back in July.

During her address, Noem disclosed that the investigation into the incident uncovered connections between the culprits and the infamous Trinitarios gang, a criminal organization operating in New York. She criticized sanctuary city policies for allegedly providing protection to these individuals until now.

“Operation Salvo marks just the beginning of a larger and more persistent campaign to target not only transnational criminal organizations and networks but also unauthorized criminal immigrants across the United States,” Noem asserted.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem delivered these remarks during a press conference held in New York City on Thursday, January 8, 2026. (Photo by Yuki Iwamura/AP)

“We are on offense. The Trump administration is using every single tool that we have to protect the American people. Sanctuary policies, whether they’re here in New York City, whether they’re in California, Illinois or Minneapolis, if you are a criminal illegal alien, we are coming to get you,” she added. 

“We will arrest you, we will bring justice, and we will also bring safety to the American people. We are warning anyone if you think you can harm an individual, a citizen of the United States, or a law enforcement officer, we will find you and bring you to justice.

Cristihan Ayba Berroa, left, and Miguel Francisco Mora-Nunez, were arrested after the shooting of an off-duty CBP officer in New York City in July 2025. (Department of Homeland Security)

“If you lay a finger on one of our officers, we will catch you, we will prosecute you, and you will feel the full extent of the law. In every single thing the Trump administration does, we put the American people first.”

Noem told reporters that 54 individuals have been taken into custody as a result of Operation Salvo, which involved coordination from CBP, Homeland Security Investigations, Enforcement and Removal Operations, federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York and the New York County District Attorney’s Office. 

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrives at a news conference Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in New York City. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

“Those arrested are violent transnational gang members and affiliates associated with Trinitarios, who are responsible for weapons trafficking, for human smuggling, for narcotics distribution and for armed robberies,” she added. 

“They had perpetuated previous violent attacks across the city of New York City. We have already removed not only many, many of these individuals that we have arrested, but over 60% of them have been returned back to their home countries to face justice for their crimes there as well.”