Trump cuts his losses on Noem after controversial tenure at homeland security
Trump Removes Noem from Homeland Security Amid Immigration Controversies
President Donald Trump’s administration has long been governed by a principle that no one can eclipse the leader. This rule became evident on Thursday as Trump dismissed Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security secretary, marking the end of her tenure in the role. Noem will be replaced by Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, who will assume the position by the end of the month. The Senate must formally confirm Mullin’s appointment, a process that will determine his readiness to lead the agency. Meanwhile, Noem is transitioning to a new role as special envoy for a Western Hemisphere security initiative dubbed the Shield of the Americas.
Trump’s decision to oust Noem came after months of growing tension within the administration. Her tenure, though initially seen as a bright spot, became increasingly contentious. When she joined the immigration enforcement team last year, Noem quickly became a visible figure in raids, often seen in bulletproof vests alongside agents enforcing the president’s strict border policies. Her aggressive stance on deportations and focus on closing the US-Mexico border earned her praise from Trump’s allies but drew criticism from opponents.
Noem’s approach to the job sparked debate. While homeland security secretaries typically operate behind the scenes, she took a front-row role in the immigration crackdown, which some viewed as a strategy to bolster her image as a decisive enforcer. Her decision to wear a $50,000 Rolex during a visit to El Salvador’s Cecot prison—a facility holding migrants deported from the US—became a flashpoint. The luxury accessory drew sharp rebukes from critics, who accused her of prioritizing personal image over fiscal responsibility. Additionally, her appearance on horseback in a DHS advertisement targeting undocumented immigrants earned her the nickname “ICE Barbie” from left-leaning observers.
“I never knew anything about it,” Trump said, contradicting Noem’s earlier claims that he was aware of the costly advertising campaign.
The president’s frustration with Noem’s methods was evident even before her removal. Following the Minneapolis immigration raids in January, where federal agents killed two US citizens, Trump sent White House border tsar Tom Homan to oversee the response. This move was seen as a rebuke to Noem, who had previously been central to the operation. Homan’s appointment signaled a shift in leadership, with Trump reportedly sidelining Noem after her controversial remarks about the victims. She had claimed, without evidence, that one of the deceased, Alex Pretti, had committed an act of domestic terrorism prior to his death.
Democrats in Congress criticized Noem for her spending, particularly the $220m allocated for a campaign featuring her and the $200m spent on luxury jets for travel. Despite defending her initiatives in a Capitol Hill hearing, Trump publicly dismissed her explanation, asserting he was unaware of the expenditures. The president’s call with Corey Lewandowski, Noem’s senior adviser, following her testimony further underscored his growing dissatisfaction. Lewandowski’s departure from the department followed the same day as her removal.
Political allies of Trump, including Senator Lindsey Graham, swiftly endorsed the decision, calling it overdue. “A change in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security was long overdue,” remarked Congressman Dan Newhouse. However, the move also highlighted the administration’s internal struggles, as Trump’s approach to immigration began to face public backlash. Polls suggested a majority of Americans supported some aspects of his policies, yet the high-profile incidents in Minneapolis and Noem’s costly campaigns indicated a widening rift between his rhetoric and public perception.
