Donald Trump Fires Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
Donald Trump dismissed Kristi Noem on Thursday after months of mounting controversies, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis and scrutiny over a $220 mln advertising contract linked to the department.
Trump said on his Truth Social platform that Markwayne Mullin would be nominated to replace her, with the appointment requiring confirmation by the United States Senate.
Noem, a former governor of South Dakota, had become one of the most prominent figures in Trump’s Cabinet, frequently using social media to highlight crimes committed by migrants and promote the administration’s tough immigration stance. Her removal could allow the White House to recalibrate its immigration messaging after the crackdown drew increasing public criticism in recent polls.
Shortly after the announcement, Noem posted on X that the department had achieved «historic accomplishments» in making the United States safer.
Scrutiny Over Contract and Personal Conduct
Lawmakers from both parties had recently criticised her leadership during congressional hearings. Questions focused on an advertising campaign worth $220 mln that prominently featured Noem and was reportedly awarded to two long-time Republican operatives without a standard bidding process.
Her personal life also came under scrutiny when Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked during a hearing whether Noem had a relationship with top aide Corey Lewandowski. Noem dismissed the claim as «tabloid garbage».
Trump told Reuters he had not personally approved the campaign, which included imagery of Noem riding a horse near Mount Rushmore. However, during a separate hearing Noem told John Kennedy that the president had authorised it.
Fallout From Minneapolis Shootings
Kristi Noem became the first Senate-confirmed Cabinet member to be removed during Trump’s current term. In his earlier presidency from 2017 to 2021, 14 confirmed Cabinet officials either resigned or were dismissed.
Pressure intensified earlier this year after federal immigration agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. Officials initially described the victims, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as domestic terrorists, but later video evidence challenged that claim and triggered public backlash.
The controversy led the administration to scale back sweeping immigration raids in Minnesota after months of confrontations between federal agents and local residents. Two administration officials said the shootings, the disputed contract, management concerns at the Department of Homeland Security and allegations about Noem’s personal conduct all contributed to Trump’s decision.
Democrats in the United States House of Representatives had begun pushing for her impeachment, while several Republicans also called for her removal following the Minneapolis incident.
Immigration Policy and Political Standoff
Trump said Noem would instead serve as an envoy for a planned summit in Miami aimed at strengthening U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere. She did not mention her departure while speaking for about 40 minutes at a law enforcement event in Tennessee shortly after the announcement, although officials said she had been informed beforehand. Lewandowski is also expected to leave the department.
Mullin, who served a decade in the House before joining the Senate in 2023, supports Trump’s strict immigration policies. Speaking to reporters, he described Kristi Noem as a friend and said she had faced an exceptionally difficult task.
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security has been blocked by congressional Democrats since mid-February as they push for immigration enforcement reforms. Chuck Schumer said replacing Noem alone would not resolve the standoff, arguing the administration must curb what he described as excessive enforcement tactics by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Trump’s immigration crackdown has faced declining public support as enforcement actions occasionally detained U.S. citizens and clashes broke out during operations in several cities. Deportations also fell short of the administration’s target of one million removals annually.
While Kristi Noem became one of the most visible advocates of the policy, much of the administration’s immigration strategy has been shaped by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, a long-time Trump adviser.
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