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Trump replaces Noem after turbulent tenure
President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin will succeed Kristi Noem as U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, ending her 13-month tenure marked by controversy and bipartisan backlash.
Deportation record falls short of targets
Noem, tasked with executing Trump's mass deportation agenda, oversaw 675,000 removals in the president's first year-a figure below the White House's stated goal of one million annually. Her leadership drew criticism from both parties as enforcement operations escalated tensions nationwide.
Minnesota crackdown sparks deadly clashes
Noem's most contentious moment came during an immigration sweep in Minnesota, where federal agents' confrontations with protesters turned fatal. Two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were shot dead in separate incidents. Noem labeled the victims "domestic terrorists," but body camera and mobile phone footage later contradicted her department's official accounts, fueling calls for her resignation.
During congressional hearings this week, Noem expressed condolences to the families but refused to retract her terrorism allegations, further alienating Republican allies.
Luxury spending and ad campaign backlash
Noem faced accusations of fiscal mismanagement after approving the purchase of two Gulfstream G700 jets and planning a $70 million Boeing 737 for deportation operations. She defended the expenditures as necessary for "long-range command and control," though a Senate hearing revealed one jet included a plush bedroom-later dismissed as "under refurbishment."
A $220 million ad campaign featuring Noem in a cowboy hat, urging immigrants to "self-deport," reportedly infuriated Trump. The president told Reuters he had no knowledge of the campaign, despite Noem's claim he had approved it. Lawmakers also scrutinized the ad's contracting process, which favored firms with Republican ties.
Controversial aides and personal scandals
Noem's chief of staff, Corey Lewandowski, became embroiled in a bizarre incident dubbed "blanketgate." According to reports, Lewandowski fired a Coast Guard pilot after blaming him for misplacing Noem's blanket during a flight. Lewandowski denied the account in a text to Reuters but confirmed he had confronted the pilot mid-flight.
During a hearing, Noem dismissed questions about an alleged affair with Lewandowski as "tabloid garbage," though both have long denied the rumors. Lewandowski will also depart the department, sources confirmed Thursday.
El Salvador prison visit and memoir fallout
Noem's March visit to El Salvador's Cecot prison-where she posed for photos with detained deportees-drew criticism for its optics. She wore a $50,000 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona during the tour, adding to perceptions of extravagance.
Earlier, her 2024 memoir sparked outrage after she admitted to shooting her family's 14-month-old dog, Cricket, calling it a "tough decision" necessary for farm safety. The anecdote, along with a debunked claim about meeting North Korea's Kim Jong Un, further damaged her reputation.
What's next
Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Trump ally, will assume the role immediately. Noem's future in the administration remains unclear, though her tenure leaves a trail of unanswered questions about spending, enforcement tactics, and leadership decisions.
