In a stunning and uncharacteristically blunt move from a top government official, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem ignited a firestorm this week with a two-word message directed at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) after the organization withdrew its high-profile lawsuit seeking to block the deportation of several illegal immigrants.
The message? “Suck it.”
Posted on X (formerly Twitter), Noem’s brief but explosive comment accompanied screenshots of the legal filing showing the ACLU’s formal withdrawal of the case. The post quickly went viral, drawing both applause and criticism from across the political spectrum.
The now-dropped lawsuit aimed to prevent the transfer or deportation of ten individuals detained in the U.S. who feared being sent to the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba—a claim that DHS officials say was never substantiated.
Background on the Lawsuit
The ACLU filed the case earlier this year, claiming that the federal government planned to send a group of illegal immigrants to the Guantanamo Bay naval base, a site historically associated with the detention of terrorism suspects. The group argued that such a move would violate the detainees’ rights and amount to cruel and unusual treatment.
According to DHS, however, the lawsuit was based on misrepresentation and hyperbole. A DHS official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that the idea of sending individuals to Guantanamo was “never operationally realistic” and served more as a scare tactic to gain public attention.
In a filing with the court last week, Homeland Security revealed that of the ten individuals cited in the lawsuit, seven had already been deported, and the remaining three were not slated for transfer to Guantanamo. This disclosure undermined the central claim of the lawsuit, ultimately leading to its withdrawal.
DHS Fires Back
Following the dismissal, DHS issued a fiery press release, using language seldom seen in formal government statements. The release lambasted the ACLU for what it described as an ongoing campaign to protect violent criminal aliens rather than advocate for public safety.
“The ACLU’s dangerous campaign to keep violent criminals in the United States is falling apart,” the statement read. It accused the organization of weaponizing the legal system against the American people, referring to the lawsuit as “meritless, frivolous, and frankly dangerous.”
Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin was particularly scathing in her comments:
“That they claim to be a civil rights organization while advocating on behalf of foreign criminal gang members is laughable. They clearly could care less about the Americans that these illegal alien criminals victimize.”
While the department did not identify the individuals in question by name due to privacy laws, officials confirmed that they had criminal records involving violent offenses, including gang activity and drug trafficking.
Noem’s “Suck It” Moment
Kristi Noem, the former South Dakota governor who was appointed Secretary of Homeland Security in early 2025, has gained a reputation for her combative and unapologetic political style. Her “Suck it” remark further cements that image and signals a new, more confrontational tone from DHS under her leadership.
While some critics accused Noem of breaching decorum, her supporters hailed the comment as a breath of fresh air in a political landscape often bogged down by vague, sanitized statements.
“She said what a lot of Americans are thinking,” said political commentator Mark Levin during his radio broadcast. “For too long, activist organizations like the ACLU have tied the government’s hands while innocent people suffer the consequences.”
However, civil rights groups and progressive commentators saw it differently.
“This is a deeply irresponsible and unprofessional outburst from a Cabinet official,” said ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero in a statement. “It trivializes the serious legal and humanitarian issues at stake and demonstrates an alarming disregard for due process.”
A Broader Battle Over Immigration
The conflict between DHS and the ACLU is part of a much larger national debate over immigration policy, border security, and the role of federal agencies in enforcing immigration law.
Since taking over at DHS, Noem has prioritized aggressive enforcement measures, including increased deportations of individuals with criminal records and efforts to dismantle what she calls the “catch-and-release pipeline” that enables repeat offenders to remain in the U.S.
She has also sought to reframe the immigration debate as one of public safety rather than political ideology.
“Our job is to protect American citizens, period,” Noem said during a recent congressional hearing. “That includes removing individuals who have shown a willingness to harm others, regardless of their country of origin.”
Under her leadership, DHS has deported over 15,000 illegal immigrants with felony convictions in just the first quarter of 2025—a 60% increase from the same period in 2024.
Public Reactions and Political Ramifications
Public response to the latest DHS vs. ACLU clash has been sharply divided.
Conservatives praised Noem for taking a strong stand and for being willing to say what many feel, even if it bucks traditional norms of governmental speech.
“She’s not just talking tough—she’s delivering results,” said Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN). “If protecting Americans offends the ACLU, that’s their problem.”
Democrats and civil liberties advocates, however, accused the secretary of using inflammatory rhetoric to distract from what they argue are policy failures and human rights abuses.
“Reducing serious constitutional litigation to a schoolyard taunt is beneath the dignity of her office,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). “This isn’t leadership—it’s demagoguery.”
As the 2026 midterms approach, the immigration debate—and Noem’s outspoken role in it—is likely to remain a flashpoint. With some Republicans touting her as a potential vice presidential contender, every word and policy she enacts is likely to be scrutinized closely.
Conclusion
The abrupt end to the ACLU’s lawsuit and the incendiary response from Secretary Kristi Noem mark a significant moment in the ongoing war over immigration enforcement in the United States. Beyond the legal filings and court decisions, the episode highlights the increasingly sharp rhetorical divide between those who see strict enforcement as essential to national security and those who view such policies as threats to civil rights and humanitarian principles.
Whether you view Noem’s “Suck it” comment as a justified jab or an inappropriate insult, one thing is clear: the battle over immigration is far from over—and it’s being fought in both the courts and the court of public opinion.
