PBD Podcast Episode #747: “They Spied On Me” - Sec. Kristi Noem Release Date: February 26, 2026 Host: Patrick Bet-David Guest: Secretary Kristi Noem (DHS Secretary, former Governor of South Dakota)

Episode Overview

In this dynamic episode, Patrick Bet-David sits down with Secretary Kristi Noem to unpack issues at the intersection of national security, politics, and leadership. The conversation traverses threats from China, deep state espionage, cyber and physical security infrastructure, border control, and the challenges of upholding American freedoms. Noem reveals eye-opening personal experiences with internal surveillance, secret files within the DHS, and her determination to “dig out” deep state actors. Listeners also hear practical insights into immigration, combating cartels, election integrity, technologies in security, and her personal approach to leadership and wellness.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. China as a Strategic Threat

• Long-Term Ambitions: Noem describes China’s ambitions as spanning “hundreds if not thousand year[s]” to become the world’s dominant power ([00:03], [13:30]).
• Food Security: China’s purchase of U.S. agricultural assets is viewed as a major threat; Noem recounts her efforts as SD Governor to block Chinese land acquisitions and ban TikTok from state devices ([10:07]).
• Cyberwarfare: Chinese tech, e.g. port machinery, poses infiltration risks to U.S. critical infrastructure and logistics, making both physical systems and data vulnerable ([15:47]).

“The problem with China is they don't just have a five year plan to damage the United States. They have a hundreds if not thousand year plan to become the world dominating power.”
— Noem ([00:03], [13:30])

2. DHS: Internal Threats, Espionage & Deep State

• Internal Surveillance: Noem discloses that her own employees installed spyware on her devices, recording her meetings ([00:21], [23:14]).
• Secret Files and SKIFFS: She recounts discovery of a previously unknown secure room filled with secret files on controversial subjects within DHS—uncovered only because of a curious employee ([00:40], [21:49]).

“Elon and his team were extremely helpful to me. They helped me identify that some of my own employees...downloaded software on my phone and my laptop to spy on me, to record our meetings.”
— Noem ([00:21], [23:14])

• Deep State Entrenchment: Explains routine office sweeps for bugs and active firing/polygraphing of employees suspected of subversion ([24:27]-[25:46]).
• Accountability: She emphasizes rooting out those “who don’t love America” and firing or prosecuting bad actors ([23:17], [24:35], [25:34]).

“I always believed when people talked about the deep state that it existed. I never would have dreamed that it was as bad as it is.”
— Noem ([00:31], [23:17])

3. National Security Infrastructure

• Under-Resourced Agencies: CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) personnel are currently furloughed due to lack of Congressional funding, leaving the nation more vulnerable ([18:06], [60:34]).
• Critical Infrastructure: DHS focus includes the electrical grid, water, food supply, and especially election integrity as critical infrastructure ([15:47], [52:42]).

4. COVID-19 and Leadership

• South Dakota’s Approach: Noem’s refusal to lock down the State during COVID earned her both national criticism and eventual praise for constitutional adherence and economic resilience ([05:29]).
• Against Federal Overreach: Decisions rooted in protecting freedoms, trust in constitutional rights, and skepticism of government power over business or individual actions ([05:29]-[09:10]).

5. Immigration, Cartels, and Border Security

• Enforcement Tactics: The Trump administration’s strategy isn’t only removals—it’s organizational “messaging,” international ad campaigns, bilateral talks, and repatriation programs to facilitate voluntary returns ([32:03], [36:40]).
• Numbers: Approximately 2.5 million have “voluntarily gone home”; about 470k are slated for removal this year ([32:03]).
• Partnering with Nations: Noem describes dealing with countries to create incentives for immigrants to return and reintegrate ([36:40]).
• Cartels as Terrorist Orgs: Trump designated major Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations; Noem critiques Mexican leadership (Sheinbaum) for not acting decisively against narco-infiltration ([45:01], [47:54]).
• Human/Women/Child Trafficking: Open borders under the previous administration led to hundreds of thousands of children missing or trafficked; Noem says this has been reversed through DNA testing and border security ([64:47]).

“President Trump had the foresight to designate those cartels as foreign terrorist organizations…”
— Noem ([45:01])

6. Election Security & Voter ID

• Real ID & Election Integrity: Stresses ID compliance and current TSA practices; supports voter ID as “imperative to the future of our country” and mandatory to maintain trust ([52:42], [57:25]).
• Opposition: Criticizes those who resist voter or real ID, defending data security and privacy provisions while prioritizing national security ([57:25]-[59:04]).

“We need to know that the people who elect our leaders are people that say they are...[and] live in this country.”
— Noem ([52:42])

7. External Threats & Major Events

• World Cup 2026: DHS underfunding hampers preparations for the imminent influx (estimated 6–10 million visitors) to U.S. venues, potentially increasing vulnerability ([60:34], [62:19]).
• Preventing Terror Attacks: Cautions against complacency; describes coordinated efforts between intelligence, law enforcement, and international partners to prevent attacks—while remaining “on edge” daily ([69:05]).

“I don't sleep well at night...every day that I have to hurry up and find those individuals before they have an opportunity to harm the United States.”
— Noem ([69:05])

8. Personal Leadership & Integrity

• Her Journey: From business/ranch management at age 22 to high-stakes national leadership ([05:29]).
• Accountability & Reform: Openness about personal growth—admitting past speeding tickets and personal change due to accountability to the public ([73:07]).
• Wellness: Loves running, biking, Crossfit, and “anything outdoors”; starts her day at 4AM to balance physical health amid government stress ([74:57]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They helped me identify that some of my own employees...downloaded software on my phone and my laptop to spy on me.” — Noem, on Elon Musk’s team ([00:21], [23:14])
• “I just found the other day a whole room on this campus that was a secret skiff...with files nobody knew existed.” — Noem ([00:40], [21:49])
• “We had to sweep my office on a regular basis to make sure that there's not listening devices in it.” — Noem ([25:46])
• “The problem with China is they...have a hundreds if not thousand year plan to become the world dominating power.” — Noem ([00:03], [13:30])
• “Every day we still see people that are hacking into our systems and making us more vulnerable from China, from Iran, from Russia.” — Noem ([15:47])
• “Congress, the Democrats have not agreed to fund us. So it's at a standstill. That's the devastating thing…” — Noem on DHS funding ([60:34])
• “I want to be your Homeland Security secretary…because it’s your number one priority.” — Noem on requesting the Homeland Security post ([32:03])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Topic | |------|-------| | 00:03 | China’s Threat & Long-Term Ambition | | 00:21 | Espionage at DHS: Internal Spying & Secret Files | | 05:29 | South Dakota’s COVID Policy & Leadership Philosophy | | 10:07 | Blocking Chinese Agricultural Investments | | 13:30 | Updates on China—View from Inside DHS | | 15:47 | Critical Infrastructure Vulnerabilities; Cybersecurity & Lack of Funding | | 21:49 | Discovery of Secret DHS File Room | | 23:14 | Musk’s Team Uncovering Internal Surveillance | | 25:34 | Firing & Polygraphing Disloyal Employees | | 32:03 | Immigration: Voluntary Returns & Policy Messaging | | 36:40 | Handling Local/State Non-Cooperation with ICE | | 45:01 | Narco-State Mexico & Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations | | 47:54 | Evaluation of Mexico’s President Sheinbaum | | 52:42 | Real ID, Voter ID, & Election Integrity | | 60:34 | DHS Underfunding—Risks Ahead of World Cup 2026 | | 64:47 | Child Trafficking at the Border & Countermeasures | | 69:05 | Next 9/11: Threat Assessment & DHS Preparations | | 73:07 | Personal: Speeding Tickets & Accountability | | 74:57 | Fitness & Well-Being as a National Leader |

Tone & Closing

Secretary Noem’s tone throughout is candid, urgent, and deeply patriotic, punctuated by sharp criticism of prior “deep state” neglect and congressional inaction. Patrick Bet-David’s probing questions elicit concrete examples, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and clarify points of contention often misrepresented in media.

The conversation is both a window into the current national security landscape and a case study in courageous leadership facing monumental challenges.

For listeners interested in the mechanics of American security or the realities of “deep state” operations—this episode is a must-listen, packed with revelations, practical policy outlines, and a dose of Noem’s South Dakota common sense.