PHOENIX — Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem held a high-profile news conference in Arizona on Friday, February 13, 2026, framing the administration’s new election security push as a necessary “restoration of the rule of law.” Flanked by Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap and several conservative state lawmakers, Noem utilized the visit to champion the “Safeguard American Voter Eligibility” (SAVE) America Act, a legislative centerpiece of the administration’s 2026 domestic agenda.
The appearance marked a significant escalation in the federal government’s involvement in state-level election administration. Standing before a backdrop of federal law enforcement insignias at a secure facility, Noem did not mince words regarding Arizona’s recent electoral history.
“Your leaders have failed you dramatically by not having systems that work,” Noem told a crowded room of reporters and supporters. “President Trump has made election integrity a top priority of this department, and we are here to ensure that every legal vote is protected while every illegal attempt to influence our outcomes is stopped before it starts.”
The Push for the SAVE America Act
The core of Noem’s presentation focused on the SAVE America Act, which passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday, February 11. The bill seeks to mandate that individuals provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a birth certificate or passport—when registering to vote in federal elections. Additionally, the legislation would require states to provide photo identification at the polls and conduct monthly purges of voter rolls.
Secretary Noem cited internal data and public sentiment to justify the federal intervention. “Eighty-four percent of the American people approve of these measures,” Noem claimed, referring to recent polling. “It is a common-sense safeguard. In a time where we have secured the border to historic levels, we must also secure the ballot box.”
The Secretary’s rhetoric underscored a shift in DHS’s mission. Under Noem’s leadership, the department has increasingly prioritized election oversight—a move that has drawn both praise from the President’s base and fierce condemnation from civil rights organizations.
Local Support and “Election Integrity”
The choice of Phoenix for the news conference was deeply symbolic. Maricopa County has been the epicenter of “election integrity” debates for over five years. By appearing alongside Justin Heap—the recently elected Maricopa County Recorder who has frequently questioned past election results—Noem signaled a direct partnership between the federal executive branch and local officials.
Heap spoke briefly, praising the Secretary for “finally listening to the concerns of Maricopa voters.” He noted that the cooperation between DHS and his office would focus on “cleaning up” the rolls and ensuring that tabulation software is “free from any potential for outside interference.”
However, the event was not without friction. When asked by a local reporter why the federal government was intervening in a state-run process, Noem retorted that the state’s previous administration had allowed “disasters” to occur, citing long lines and machine failures as evidence of disenfranchisement.
A Growing Political Firestorm
The reaction from across the aisle was swift and scathing. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and other critics have accused the Secretary of using her office to spread misinformation. Civil rights groups, including the Brennan Center for Justice, have labeled the SAVE America Act “the most restrictive voting bill” in modern history, arguing that it places an undue burden on low-income voters and women who have changed their legal names.
The bill passed the House with a narrow 218–213 margin, with only one Democrat, Henry Cuellar of Texas, joining Republicans. It now faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where it currently lacks the support to clear a filibuster.
The Broader Context of 2026
The news conference in Arizona is part of a broader “national tour” Noem is conducting to highlight the administration’s successes in its second year. This week alone, the Secretary has visited the southern border in San Diego and met with law enforcement to discuss deportation efforts.
As the news conference concluded, Noem emphasized that the DHS would not wait for the SAVE America Act to become law to begin its “modernization” efforts. She announced that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) would be providing “enhanced physical security” for tabulation centers, though specific details remain sparse.
“The era of ‘trust but don’t verify’ is over,” Noem said in her closing remarks. “We are moving into an era of total transparency and total security. The American people demanded it in 2024, and we are delivering it in 2026.”
Sources
- 12News Phoenix: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem talks election security in Arizona (Published Feb 13, 2026)
- Democracy Docket: Noem joins Arizona election deniers to rally for SAVE America Act (Published Feb 13, 2026)
- The Guardian: House passes Save America Act, Trump-backed bill to impose new voting rules (Published Feb 11, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS.gov): Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem Profile and Live Event Archive
- 19th News: House passes elections overhaul bill that could make it harder for married women to vote (Published Feb 11, 2026)
- Office of Representative Chip Roy: Rep. Roy’s SAVE America Act Passes House of Representatives (Published Feb 11, 2026)
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