Kristi Noem Praises San Francisco Mayor's Cooperation with Federal Government

Ousted Homeland Security Secretary says she and Mayor Daniel Lurie 'talk quite often'

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Outgoing U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie for his cooperation with federal law enforcement, saying they 'talk quite often.' Noem's comments suggested a level of collaboration between the mayor and the federal government that went beyond what was previously known, as Lurie leads a sanctuary city that has opposed many Trump administration policies.

Why it matters

Noem's remarks open Lurie up to potential scrutiny, as the mayor of a sanctuary city working closely with the Trump administration, which has taken a hardline stance on immigration. This could raise questions about Lurie's commitment to San Francisco's status as a sanctuary city and his relationship with the federal government.

The details

Noem made the comments shortly after being ousted by President Trump, while taking questions at a law enforcement conference in Nashville, Tennessee. When asked how DHS could better support local agencies, Noem said 'You maybe have some challenges in San Francisco just because of your state laws and local laws, although you've got a mayor that works with us very well. He probably doesn't want me to talk about it a lot actually, but he has been very cooperative and we have great conversations and talk quite often.'

  • Noem made the comments on March 5, 2026, shortly after being ousted as Homeland Security Secretary by President Trump.
  • Lurie spoke with Trump, Noem and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in late October 2025 to convince the administration to call off a planned federal immigration surge into the Bay Area.

The players

Kristi Noem

Ousted U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary under the Trump administration.

Daniel Lurie

Mayor of San Francisco, a sanctuary city that has opposed many Trump administration policies.

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States.

Pam Bondi

Former U.S. Attorney General.

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What they’re saying

“You maybe have some challenges in San Francisco just because of your state laws and local laws, although you've got a mayor that works with us very well. He probably doesn't want me to talk about it a lot actually, but he has been very cooperative and we have great conversations and talk quite often.”

— Kristi Noem, Outgoing U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary

What’s next

A City Hall source familiar with the matter said the mayor had not spoken with Noem since late October 2025, when San Francisco narrowly avoided the federal immigration surge. It remains to be seen if Lurie will face any scrutiny or backlash over his cooperation with the Trump administration.

The takeaway

Noem's praise of Lurie's cooperation with federal law enforcement, despite San Francisco's status as a sanctuary city, highlights the complex and sometimes opaque relationships between local and federal governments, even when they are at odds on key policy issues.