Kristi Noem, the current Homeland Security Secretary and former governor of South Dakota, has announced a significant increase in federal presence at the upcoming Super Bowl 2026. She promises more U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be on site for the big game’s halftime show.
Noem, 53, shared her plans during an interview with right-wing podcast host Benny Johnson on Friday, October 3. Her comments came after the news broke that international music sensation Bad Bunny would perform during the halftime festivities. "There will be ICE agents at the Super Bowl," Noem stated. "The Department of Homeland Security makes sure everyone is safe." She added that her job is to help everyone enjoy the game and get home safely. "That’s what America is all about," she said.
Noem also expressed her strong views on who should attend the event. “Yes, we will be everywhere. We will enforce the law.” She continued, “People should not come to the Super Bowl unless they are law-abiding Americans who love this country.” It is important to remember that Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory. Anyone born there, including Bad Bunny, is automatically a full U.S. citizen under the U.S. Constitution.
Noem has faced a lot of criticism for her past actions. She often takes right-wing personalities, like Johnson and Dr. Phil, on tours with law enforcement. During these tours, ICE agents are filmed detaining people believed to be undocumented immigrants. Noem, in her conversation with Johnson, openly criticized the NFL for choosing Bad Bunny, 31, for the highly desired halftime show.
"Well, they are terrible, and we will win," Noem told Johnson when asked for a message to the NFL. "God will bless us, and we will rise up, proud of ourselves. The NFL won’t sleep well at night. They don’t know what they believe in; they are so weak. We will fix it."
Benny Johnson himself has been vocal about his disapproval of the NFL’s choice. On his YouTube show, during an episode on Wednesday, October 1, he called Bad Bunny "a Puerto Rican guy whose music I haven’t heard any of." Johnson also mentioned the singer "doesn’t sing in English." Despite these comments, Bad Bunny’s album Un Verano Sin Ti holds a major record. By September 2025, it became Spotify’s most streamed album ever, with over 20.6 billion plays. He is consistently one of the top artists on the platform.
Johnson also spoke with Corey Lewandowski, who was a top advisor to President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2024. Lewandowski now works closely with the Department of Homeland Security. Johnson asked him again about ICE agents at the Super Bowl because of Bad Bunny’s performance. "No one can hide if they are in this country illegally," Lewandowski explained. "We will find them, take them to a detention center, and send them back. This is a very real situation under this administration. It’s different from how things used to be."
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was confirmed as the Super Bowl 2026 halftime artist on Sunday, September 28. This decision is notable because the singer had previously decided not to bring his successful Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour to the U.S. This was during what was called President Donald Trump’s "migratory crackdown."
Bad Bunny spoke about his past choices. "I didn’t go to the United States for many reasons, not because of hate," he said. "I’ve performed there many times, and all shows were a success. I enjoyed connecting with Latinos in the U.S." He added, "But for a residency here in Puerto Rico, as a U.S. territory, people from the U.S. could come see the show." He also shared a major concern. "There was the issue that, for example, ICE could be outside my concert. It was something we talked about and worried about a lot."
Noem’s strong statements on Friday seemed to clash with what the White House said on the very same day. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Friday, "Regarding ICE’s presence at the Super Bowl, I know of no concrete plan right now." However, she quickly added, "This administration will always arrest and deport undocumented immigrants if we find they are criminals. We will do what is right for our country."