‘What they’re doing is illegal’: Kristi Noem says CNN could be prosecuted for ‘encouraging people to avoid law enforcement’

All Americans’ freedom of speech is protected by the Constitution.

And journalists in America have heightened protections. Because they are journalists, they sometimes get privileged access to information. One corporation even insisted its reporters had a First Amendment “right” to be in the White House, even on Air Force One, a status that ordinary Americans do not have.

But there are limits, and it appears CNN may have crossed into forbidden territory.

That’s according to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who responded to a question about the network’s recent promotion of an app that lets phone users learn of the location of agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“We’re working with the Department of Justice to see if we can prosecute them for that because what they’re doing is actively encouraging people to avoid law-enforcement activities, operations. And we’re gonna actually go after them and prosecute them … because what they’re doing, we believe, is illegal,” Noem said.

.@Sec_Noem slams CNN for pushing an app to track ICE personnel: “What they’re doing is actively encouraging people to avoid law enforcement.” pic.twitter.com/kugEMvDjgC

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 1, 2025

Multiple reports revealed how CNN recently profiled and promoted the ICEBlock telephone app. That alerts anyone using the software that ICE agents are nearby.

A report at Western Journal explained how that could be illegal.

President Donald Trump, on the topic of a prosecution, said, “It’s OK with me.”

He actually cited another reason for CNN to face the music.

“They may be prosecuted also for having given false reports on the attack in Iran,” the president added.

Noem had noted earlier, “This sure looks like obstruction of justice. Our brave ICE law enforcement face a 500% increase in assaults against them. … If you obstruct or assault our law enforcement, we will hunt you down and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

This sure looks like obstruction of justice. Our brave ICE law enforcement face a 500% increase in assaults against them.

If you obstruct or assault our law enforcement, we will hunt you down and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. pic.twitter.com/4ZcfrpyRV1

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) June 30, 2025

Border czar Tom Homan also noted, “I can’t believe we live in a world where the men and women in law enforcement are the bad guys. It’s already a dangerous job. … This is horrendous that a national media outlet would be out there trying to forecast law enforcement operations. I think DOJ needs to look at this. They’re crossing that line.”