Trump Considers Replacing Homeland Security Secretary Noem Amidst Congressional Scrutiny
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is reportedly considering replacing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following her recent testimony before House and Senate committees, according to lawmakers and sources familiar with White House discussions. The potential shakeup comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faces a partial shutdown and scrutiny over its immigration enforcement policies and contract allocations.
Frustration Over Ad Campaign Spending
The President’s displeasure stems, in part, from Noem’s responses regarding a $220 million ad campaign designed to encourage self-deportation among undocumented immigrants. During questioning by Senator John Kennedy, Noem affirmed that President Trump had approved the campaign, which prominently featured her image. Senator Kennedy expressed skepticism about the President’s approval of such a large expenditure, questioning whether the Office of Management and Budget would have supported the plan.
Potential Replacements Discussed
White House officials have reportedly discussed potential replacements for Noem, including Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin and Montana Senator Steve Daines. But, no final decision has been made. Mullin stated he had not discussed the matter with the President or the White House this week.
DHS Shutdown and Immigration Enforcement
The scrutiny of Noem’s leadership coincides with a partial shutdown of DHS, as congressional Democrats have refused to fund the department due to concerns about its immigration enforcement tactics. The administration has attempted to address tensions surrounding its operations in Minnesota by dispatching border czar Tom Homan to negotiate with local officials, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of federal immigration officers from the state.
Contracting and Ethical Concerns
Congressional hearings also focused on the agency’s contract allotment processes, officer training and FEMA reimbursement. Noem faced questions about the role of Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s 2016 campaign manager and a close ally of Noem, who served as a special government employee within DHS. Noem denied Lewandowski’s involvement in approving contracts, a claim disputed by some DHS officials.
Further complicating matters, questions arose regarding potential romantic involvement between Noem and Lewandowski, with House Democrats directly questioning Noem about the nature of their relationship, which she dismissed as “total garbage.”
Specific contracts under scrutiny include a $77 million award to People Who Think, an LLC owned by Jay Connaughton, who previously consulted for Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s campaign alongside Lewandowski. A $143 million no-bid contract awarded to Safe America Media, established shortly before the award, also drew criticism. Safe America Media then subcontracted a portion of the work to a strategy firm owned by the husband of a former DHS spokeswoman.
DHS Defends Ad Campaign Results
A DHS spokesperson defended the ad campaign, stating it reached over 46 million people in eight countries and contributed to the self-deportation of 2.2 million undocumented immigrants. The department argued that self-deportations are 70% cheaper than forced removals by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), resulting in a cost savings of over $39 billion for U.S. Taxpayers.
Criticism of Agency Management
Retiring GOP Senator Thom Tillis also voiced criticism of Noem’s leadership, expressing disappointment with the agency’s focus on achieving numerical goals for deportations rather than prioritizing the quality of enforcement efforts. He stated, “Quality matters, not quantity.”