Kristi Noem says NFL ‘Won’t Sleep at Night’ after Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized the NFL’s choice of Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performer, saying the league “will not be able to sleep at night” over its decision.

“Well, they suck, and we’ll win, and God will bless us, and we’ll stand and be proud of ourselves at the end of the day, and they won’t be able to sleep at night because they don’t know what they believe, and they’re so weak, we’ll fix it,” Noem told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson on Friday.

DHS to oversee Super Bowl security

Noem reaffirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be present at the Super Bowl, which is scheduled to take place in February 2026 in Santa Clara, California.

“There will be because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for keeping it safe, so I have the responsibility for making sure everybody goes to the Super Bowl, has the opportunity to enjoy it and to leave, and that’s what America is about,” Noem said on Friday.

“So yeah, we’ll be all over that place, and I can. We’re going to enforce the law,” the DHS chief added. “So I think people should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless there are law-abiding Americans who love this country.”

Backlash over Bad Bunny’s Selection

The NFL’s decision to name Bad Bunny as the halftime headliner has drawn backlash from conservative commentators and MAGA influencers. The Puerto Rican artist previously told i-D Magazine that he would not perform in mainland U.S. due to fears that his concerts could become targets of ICE raids.

White House responds

Earlier on Friday, the White House clarified that there was “no tangible plan” to deploy ICE officers to the Super Bowl.

“As far as ICE being at the Super Bowl, as far as I’m aware there’s no tangible plan for that in store right now,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. 

She added, “However, of course this administration is always going to arrest and deport illegal immigrants when we find them if they are criminals. We’re going to do the right thing by our country.”

DHS adviser weighs in

Corey Lewandowski, an adviser at DHS, reinforced the stance on enforcement during an appearance on The Benny Show on Wednesday.

“There is nowhere that you can provide safe haven to people in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else,” Lewandowski said.