Trump cans Noem as DHS Secretary after criticism of her leadership- National & International News -

Trump cans Noem as DHS Secretary after criticism of her leadership

President Trump has fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after months of bipartisan condemnation of her leadership of the department. While Trump’s first term was marked by unusually high turnover in the Cabinet, Noem is the first high-level Cabinet member to be dismissed in Trump’s second term.

Democrats and Republicans in Congress have criticized Noem’s handling of the nationwide immigration crackdown, which has proven very unpopular and resulted in the killings of two Americans by ICE agents.

Noem’s use of department funds has also been questioned. During the 43-day government shutdown last year when many federal DHS employees were going without pay, Noem purchased several luxury private jets to be used by herself and her deputies.

In addition, there is her widely reported relationship with former Trump strategist Corey Lewandowski. His appointment has her personal advisor at the department has raised eyebrows and caused friction, according to reports. Lewandowski will also be departing from his position

Ultimately, reporting indicates that what lead Trump to firing Noem was her claim in recent Congressional hearings that Trump personally approved a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign touting DHS’s deportation campaign (and prominently featuring Noem). The money went to a strategy firm to which she and her spokesperson have longstanding personal ties. Trump has said he knew nothing about the ad campaign.

In Trump’s Truth Social announcement of Noem’s departure from DHS, he touted her accomplishments in the department. He added that he was appointing her “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas” which he said was a “new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere”. Trump also announced that he would be appointing Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to replace Noem as DHS secretary, effective March 31. Mullin, a noted Trump loyalist, will have to be confirmed by the Senate but can serve in an interim capacity.