Wednesday, February 4, 2026-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has ordered that every Department of Homeland Security officer deployed in Minneapolis, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol personnel, be equipped with body-worn cameras effective immediately.
The directive follows intense national scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement actions in the city after two fatal shootings involving federal officers sparked protests and renewed calls for accountability. Noem said the rollout will begin in Minneapolis and expand nationwide as funding allows.
The Trump administration has framed the move as a transparency measure aimed at addressing public criticism of DHS enforcement tactics. President Donald Trump publicly supported the decision, describing body cameras as beneficial for law enforcement accountability and record-keeping.
The initiative also intersects with ongoing congressional negotiations over DHS funding, where Democrats have pushed for broader reforms, including mandatory camera use, limits on face coverings, judicial warrant requirements, and clearer use-of-force standards.
Even with the announcement, debate over the policy remains intense. Critics argue that body cameras alone will not ensure accountability without strict rules governing activation, data storage, public release of footage, and independent oversight. Supporters counter that immediate deployment in Minneapolis is a meaningful step toward restoring public trust in federal law enforcement at a moment of heightened tension over immigration enforcement and public safety.
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