Donald Trump has fired Kristi Noem as head of the US Department of Homeland Security after months of controversy surrounding immigration enforcement, fatal shootings in Minnesota and a disputed $220 million advertising contract.
The US president announced the decision on Thursday, saying he plans to nominate Markwayne Mullin to replace her by the end of the month. The appointment will require confirmation by the United States Senate.
Noem, a former governor of South Dakota, became one of the most visible figures in Trump’s cabinet due to her outspoken support for the administration’s hardline immigration policies.
Controversies that led to Noem’s removal
Her tenure came under intense scrutiny following the fatal shootings of two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.
Noem initially described the victims as “domestic terrorists”, but videos that later surfaced appeared to contradict the claim, triggering widespread backlash and calls for accountability from lawmakers.
Democrats in the US House of Representatives moved to impeach Noem, while at least two Republican lawmakers also called for her dismissal.
Her leadership was further questioned during congressional hearings this week over a $220 million government advertising campaign that prominently featured her and was reportedly awarded without a standard bidding process.
The campaign drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, especially after Noem told Senator John Kennedy that Trump had approved the project. Trump later told reporters he did not sign off on the ads.
Personal allegations add pressure
Noem also faced scrutiny over her personal relationship with top aide Corey Lewandowski.
During a hearing, Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked whether the pair had a sexual relationship. Noem dismissed the question as “tabloid garbage”, while Lewandowski declined to comment.
According to administration officials, the combination of the shootings controversy, the advertising contract and internal management concerns ultimately led to Trump’s decision to remove her.
Trump plans new role for Noem
Despite the firing, Trump said Noem would take on a new role as envoy for a planned Western Hemisphere policy summit in Miami.
She briefly responded to the news on the social media platform X, writing that the department had achieved “historic accomplishments” in making the country safer.
Noem is the first Senate-confirmed cabinet member to be dismissed during Trump’s second term in office.
Immigration policy tensions continue
Her departure comes as political tensions continue over Trump’s immigration strategy, which critics say has led to aggressive enforcement actions and the detention of US citizens during immigration sweeps.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said replacing Noem would not resolve the broader issues facing immigration enforcement.
“The problems at ICE transcend any one person,” Schumer said. “The president has to end the violence and rein in ICE.”
Meanwhile, Mullin said he was surprised by Trump’s decision but described Noem as a friend who had been tasked with a difficult role.
