Blocked Entry at Municipal Building

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reported that she and her team were prevented from entering a public building in Illinois on Friday for a restroom break.

In a post on X, Noem explained the situation at the Broadview Municipal Building, stating, “My team and I were blocked from accessing the village of Broadview Municipal Building in Illinois. We were stopped for a quick bathroom break. This is a public building. The village of Broadview receives at least $1 million in federal funds each year.”

Noem criticized Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and his administration, calling the event “absolutely shameful.” She expressed her disapproval of how law enforcement managed the situation.

Conservative commentator Benny Johnson shared a video showing a man closing the door as Noem’s group approached, shouting, “No, you can’t.”

“What we’re doing is getting criminals, terrorists, cartels, and gang members off the streets,” Noem said in reference to her ongoing efforts.

Broadview officials contested Noem’s version of events. Village spokesperson David Ormsby claimed that Noem had arrived without prior notice and looked for Mayor Katrina Thompson, who was not present in the building at the time.

According to Ormsby, “The mayor returned her visit,” adding that Thompson went to the ICE facility with the police chief, but at that point, an agent indicated Noem was unavailable.

Noem had visited the Broadview ICE Facility earlier that morning, which has seen weeks of protests against immigration enforcement.

Pritzker voiced his criticism of Noem’s visit, emphasizing the need for public accountability in the state. This incident unfolds amid growing resistance to federal immigration enforcement from politically liberal states and municipalities.