Trump cuts his losses on Noem after controversial tenure at homeland security

Trump Decides to Replace Noem Amid Controversy Over Immigration Enforcement

President Donald Trump has long been known for prioritizing his own visibility over the contributions of his subordinates. This pattern became evident again on Thursday when he announced the removal of Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security secretary, from her role as the administration’s face of immigration crackdowns. Noem will step down by the end of the month, with Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin set to take her place, though the US Senate must approve his appointment. Trump also revealed Noem would transition to a new position as special envoy for a Western hemisphere security initiative named the Shield of the Americas.

Noem’s tenure at the department, which oversees Trump’s immigration policies, has been marked by polarizing decisions. After assuming the role in 2021, she became a central figure in the administration’s enforcement efforts, frequently participating in raids and appearing in a bulletproof vest during operations. Her bold approach earned her praise from Trump’s supporters but drew sharp criticism from opponents. A key point of contention was her choice to wear a $50,000 Rolex during a visit to Cecot, a high-profile Salvadoran prison, where she met with migrants deported from the US.

“I thank Kristi for her service at ‘Homeland,'” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Additionally, Noem’s public persona was amplified through a DHS advertisement featuring her on horseback, which critics on the left mocked as “ICE Barbie.” Democrats highlighted her use of $220 million in federal funds for a campaign starring her and nearly $200 million spent on two luxury jets for official travel. Despite defending the ad strategy in a Capitol Hill hearing, Trump publicly denied awareness of the expenditures before her firing.

Trump’s frustration with Noem had been simmering for months. The Minneapolis immigration operation in January sparked significant backlash after federal agents killed two US citizens. In response, Trump deployed White House border tsar Tom Homan to lead the crisis, signaling a shift away from Noem. Homan’s appointment was seen as a rebuke, as Noem might have been expected to handle the situation herself. Her comments following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti further fueled controversy, particularly her unsubstantiated claim that Pretti had committed an act of domestic terrorism before being shot.

Some Republican lawmakers, like South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, publicly supported Trump’s decision. “A change in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security was long overdue,” said Washington state Congressman Dan Newhouse. However, the move also reflected internal tensions, as Trump reportedly had a heated conversation with Corey Lewandowski, Noem’s senior adviser, after her congressional testimony. Lewandowski is now leaving the department, marking another reshuffle in Trump’s immigration team.