Former Labor Secretary Blasts Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem in Scathing Open Letter

Robert Reich calls out Noem's 'unconstitutional' actions and demands she uphold her oath to the Constitution

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In a scathing open letter, former Labor Secretary Robert Reich has sharply criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing her department of engaging in a range of unconstitutional actions such as arresting people without due process, jailing children, and even murdering innocent Americans. Reich, a professor at UC Berkeley, has been a vocal critic of Noem and her department's policies, and he is now directly challenging her to uphold her oath to the Constitution.

Why it matters

This open letter from a high-profile former government official represents a significant escalation in the ongoing battle over immigration enforcement and civil liberties under the Noem administration. Reich's willingness to publicly call out Noem's 'despicable' actions and her department's apparent disregard for constitutional protections raises serious questions about the direction of the Department of Homeland Security and the Biden administration's ability to rein in its abuses.

The details

In the letter, Reich accuses Noem's DHS of engaging in a range of unconstitutional practices, including pulling people from their homes without warrants, arresting individuals without due process, detaining innocent people in camps without adequate food or medical care, and even murdering two Americans without a full investigation. He also condemns the department's efforts to subpoena social media companies in order to identify Americans who have criticized ICE enforcement, which Reich says violates the First Amendment right to free speech.

  • The New York Times reported on the DHS subpoenas on February 15, 2026.

The players

Robert Reich

A professor of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley and former Secretary of Labor under the Clinton administration. Reich has been a vocal critic of the Noem administration's immigration policies.

Kristi Noem

The current Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security under the Biden administration. Noem has faced widespread criticism for her department's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and apparent disregard for constitutional protections.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement and national security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem.

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What they’re saying

“Let me not mince words: I really truly believe you're doing a s----- job.”

— Robert Reich, Former Secretary of Labor (Substack)

“You and your boss are supposed to be working for me and every other American. You swore an oath. The people of the United States hired the two of you to do your jobs, which doesn't including spying on us or jailing us or trying to intimidate us or murdering us.”

— Robert Reich, Former Secretary of Labor (Substack)

What’s next

The Biden administration has not yet commented on Reich's open letter or the reported DHS subpoenas of social media companies. It remains to be seen whether the president will take any action to rein in the Noem-led DHS or address the growing concerns over its alleged constitutional violations.

The takeaway

This scathing rebuke from a respected former government official underscores the deep divisions and growing alarm over the Noem administration's immigration enforcement tactics. Reich's willingness to directly challenge Noem's leadership and accuse her department of unconstitutional actions signals that the battle over civil liberties and the rule of law is far from over.