US President Donald Trump fired homeland security secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday following months of controversy, including fatal shootings of US citizens by federal officers and questions surrounding a $220m (R3.66bn) advertising contract.
Noem Firing and Replacement
Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that Oklahoma senator Markwayne Mullin will replace Noem by the end of the month, pending US Senate confirmation.
Noem, a former governor of South Dakota, gained prominence for her social media posts that often used harsh language regarding immigrants and highlighted alleged criminal offenses.
Her departure could allow Trump to adjust his approach to immigration policy, a key component of his agenda, particularly as recent polling indicates growing unpopularity of the current crackdown.
Shortly after the announcement, Noem posted on X: “We have made historic accomplishments at the department of homeland security to make America safe again.”
During congressional hearings this week, both Democrats and some Republicans criticized Noem’s immigration enforcement approach and the management of her department, specifically a $220m advertising campaign that heavily featured Noem and was awarded to two longtime Republican operatives without a standard bidding process.
Allegations of a personal relationship between Noem and top aide Corey Lewandowski also came to light. US representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked Noem about a potential sexual relationship, to which Noem responded, calling the question “tabloid garbage.” Lewandowski did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Trump stated he did not approve the ad campaign, which included a scene of Noem on horseback at Mount Rushmore. However, Noem told Republican US senator John Kennedy during a hearing this week that Trump had approved the campaign.
First Senate-confirmed cabinet member fired in Trump 2.0
Noem is the first Senate-confirmed member of Trump’s cabinet to be removed during this term. During his previous term (2017-2021), 14 confirmed cabinet appointees either resigned or were fired.
Noem faced criticism in January after quickly labeling Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two US citizens fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, as “domestic terrorists.” Videos that emerged after the shootings contradicted assertions made by Noem and other Trump officials regarding the deceased being violent aggressors.
The public response to the shootings led the Trump administration to adopt a more targeted approach to immigration enforcement in Minnesota, following months of sweeps through US cities that resulted in clashes between federal agents and residents.
Democrats in the US House of Representatives initiated impeachment proceedings against Noem, and at least two Republicans in Congress called for her removal after the shootings in Minnesota.
Trump announced Noem would be appointed envoy to a planned summit in Miami to reinforce his Western Hemisphere policies.
Noem spoke at a law enforcement event in Tennessee for 40 minutes shortly after Trump’s announcement, without mentioning her departure. Sources indicated she was aware of the impending removal before the event. Corey Lewandowski is also expected to leave the department, though DHS and the White House have not commented on his future.
Strong embrace of Trump’s hardline immigration approach
Mullin, who served a decade in the House of Representatives before becoming a senator in 2023, also supports Trump’s hardline immigration agenda.
Mullin expressed surprise at Trump’s call, describing Noem as a friend and stating he had not yet had the opportunity to speak with her.
“She was tasked to do a very difficult job,” Mullin told reporters.
Democrats in Congress have blocked funding for DHS since mid-February, demanding reforms to federal immigration enforcement.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer stated Noem’s firing would not resolve the funding stalemate, arguing that the issues within ICE extend beyond any single individual. He called on the president to end violence and rein in ICE.
Trump’s immigration approach has become less popular as agents have detained US citizens and used tear gas in attempts to increase deportations, which fell short of the administration’s goal of 1 million last year.
While Noem was a prominent advocate for Trump’s agenda, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller maintains control over Trump’s immigration policy.
Noem quickly secured confirmation to lead the 260,000-employee department in January 2025. On social media, she referred to immigrants convicted of crimes as “scumbags” while the number of non-criminals arrested by immigration authorities increased under Trump.
She participated in immigration enforcement operations in New York City and visited a maximum-security prison in El Salvador where Venezuelan immigrants deported by the Trump administration were being held without charges or legal representation.
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