Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference in Arizona on Friday to advocate for the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act).
At the event, which followed a roundtable with Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap, Arizona Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Wright, and state Representative John Gillette, Noem asserted that “there’s only one reason anyone would oppose this bill—and that’s because they would want to cheat.”
Noem emphasized President Donald Trump’s prioritization of election integrity within his Make America Great Again agenda. She stated the nation’s current election system “needs a lot of work,” noting America has a “golden opportunity” to demonstrate its commitment to securing elections and preserving the “sacred republic.”
The secretary highlighted that the House of Representatives had recently passed the SAVE Act, which would implement measures such as requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and removing noncitizens from voter rolls. Noem described these reforms as “common-sense, straightforward” and noted they are “extremely popular with American citizens.” She cited polling data showing 84% of Americans support requiring a photo ID to vote and 83% support proof of citizenship during registration.
Noem pointed out that noncitizens have historically voted in U.S. elections, providing examples of illegal aliens registered to vote in Maryland and Kansas. “It’s a fact that noncitizens have been voting in our elections,” she stated. She also addressed concerns the bill would disenfranchise American citizens, including newly married women with name changes or deployed service members, calling such claims “just absurd” and “completely false.”
When pressed on Arizona’s election system specifically, Noem noted that the state has a SAVE program available to its officials. She expressed concern about “many” individuals on Arizona’s voter rolls who may not live at their registered addresses, including those with mobile homes or boats.
“Your leaders have failed you dramatically by not having systems that work,” Noem said. “There’s no state that could use more improvement than Arizona.” The secretary concluded by labeling Arizona an “absolute disaster” on elections.
