Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared on Thursday, “We are on the offensive,” emphasizing that the Trump administration is utilizing every available resource to safeguard the American public.

Noem’s comments came during her visit to New York City, where she praised the success of Operation Salvo. This initiative was launched following an incident last July involving an attack on an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent.

She revealed that the investigation into the attack exposed the perpetrators as members of the infamous Trinitarios gang, a criminal group operating in New York. These individuals had previously been shielded by the city’s sanctuary policies, according to Noem.

“Operation Salvo marks the beginning of a comprehensive and sustained campaign targeting not only transnational crime syndicates but also illegal criminal aliens across the nation,” Noem announced.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addresses the media at a press conference in New York City on January 8, 2026. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

Noem reiterated her stance, stating, “We are on the offensive. The Trump administration is employing all tools at our disposal to protect American citizens. Whether in New York, California, Illinois, or Minneapolis, if you are an illegal alien with a criminal record, we are coming for you.”

“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,” Noem continued. 

Cristian Aybar Berroa, left, and Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, were arrested following 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,” she also said.

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 press conference, on 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.”