Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was terminated by President Donald Trump on Thursday following a period of controversy. The President announced on his Truth Social platform that Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin would be appointed as her replacement by the end of the month.
Noem's dismissal came after several months of turmoil, which included the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal officers in Minneapolis and inquiries from lawmakers regarding a $220 million advertising contract.
Her exit, after being the face of a stringent immigration crackdown that faced disapproval in recent polls, might allow Trump to reevaluate his immigration policy, a key component of his agenda.
Following the announcement of her replacement, Noem stated on X: "We have achieved historic milestones at the Department of Homeland Security to make America safe again."
In congressional hearings this week, both Democrats and some Republicans criticized Noem for her immigration enforcement tactics and department management. Concerns were raised about a $220 million advertising campaign that prominently featured Noem and was awarded to two long-time Republican operatives without a standard bidding process.
Noem's personal life was also questioned, with a Democratic lawmaker inquiring on Wednesday about a potential intimate relationship with her top aide, Corey Lewandowski, despite both individuals being married. Noem dismissed the inquiry from US Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove as "tabloid garbage," while Lewandowski declined to comment when approached by Reuters.
Trump revealed to Reuters on Thursday that he did not approve the ad campaign, which prominently showcased Noem and included a scene of her riding a horse at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, her home state.
Shortly after news of her replacement circulated online, Noem faced allegations of an affair with Corey Lewandowski. Social media posts referenced alleged publicly funded trips on a sky yacht with Lewandowski, as well as accusations of steering $100 million contracts to her acquaintances. None of these allegations against Kristi Noem could be substantiated.
