Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem visited a biological hazard lab the day before she was rushed to hospital over an allergic reaction.

There is nothing to suggest any link to the lab visit and the reaction the following day.

Newsweek contacted DHS via email outside of normal office hours for comment.

The Context

Noem was taken by ambulance to a Washington D.C. area hospital on Tuesday.

"Secretary Noem had an allergic reaction today. She was transported to the hospital out of an abundance of caution. She is alert and recovering," DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement sent to Newsweek.

What To Know

On Monday, the day before the DHS head was hospitalized, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted a photo on social media of Noem with himself and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul.

"With Secretary Noem and Senator Rand Paul inspecting the biological hazard labs at Fort Detrick," Kennedy Jr. wrote.

Fort Detrick, in Frederick, Maryland, is home to some of America's important biological research and defense facilities.

These include the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, which is "dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats," according to DHS.

The facility was created and built by DHS as a federal response to anthrax letter attacks in 2001. It was also a key site for investigations into the characteristics of the coronavirus.

The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases is also part of Fort Detrick—the Army's main lab for biodefense research.

Its "mission is to assist field commanders in achieving that balance by shortening decision cycles, providing tools for force health protection and training warfighters in critical biological defense skills," according to the U.S. Army.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 12, 2025. AP What People Are Saying

Bruce Levell, an ally of President Donald Trump on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday: "My dear friend @Sec_Noem, our fearless Secretary of Homeland Security, was just rushed to the hospital. My heart is with her during this challenging time, but I know her strength and determination will shine through.

"Please join me in keeping Kristi in your prayers for a swift and full recovery. She has been tirelessly spearheading @realDonaldTrump initiative to uphold law and order and utilize ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] to keep our country safe from criminals. Let's stand strong for her, just as she's stood strong for America."

Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk posted on X: "Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has been rushed to the hospital in Washington D.C. Pray for Kristi."

The U.S. Army said about biodefense: "The modern biodefense landscape is becoming increasingly complex and dynamic. The coronavirus pandemic demonstrated how novel infectious diseases can pose an urgent threat.

"Experts are concerned that potential adversaries will soon be able to combine machine learning algorithms with emerging biotechnologies to create biological weapons more easily."

What Happens Next

It is not yet clear what caused Noem's allergic reaction or when she will be released from hospital.