US President Donald Trump has fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after months of controversy and criticism from both parties in the US. In her place, Trump announced the appointment of Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin.
Noem had been responsible for implementing the Trump administration's mass deportation policy. According to official data, about 675,000 deportations were carried out during the president's first year in office, a figure that fell short of the White House's stated goal of one million deportations per year.
Her tenure was accompanied by a series of controversies and public criticism.
One of the biggest crises was related to immigration operations in the state of Minnesota, where interventions by federal forces sparked protests in Minneapolis.
Two American citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, were killed in the clashes. Noem described them as “domestic terrorists,” but body camera and cellphone footage cast doubt on her department’s official version. The incident also sparked strong reactions from some Republicans, who joined Democrats in calling for her resignation.
Another controversy involved allegations of misuse of public funds. Noem approved the purchase of two luxury Gulfstream G700 jets and there were plans to purchase a Boeing 737 for about $70 million. She defended the spending by arguing that the planes would be used as long-range command and control vehicles and for deportation operations.
A $220 million advertising campaign aimed at encouraging immigrants to self-deport also drew widespread criticism. The promotional ads featured Noem wearing a cowboy hat and riding a horse through a prairie of bison. Media reports suggested that President Trump was irritated by the project, while he himself stated that he was unaware of the ad.
Controversy also erupted over a reported incident involving her de facto chief of staff, Corey Lewandowski. He reportedly fired a Coast Guard pilot after blaming him for the loss of a blanket belonging to Noem during an official trip. The incident was widely reported in the media and dubbed “blanket gate.” Lewandowski denied the allegations.
In March 2025, Noem also drew attention during a visit to the maximum-security Cecot prison in El Salvador, where the US had agreed to send some deportees. Photos of her in front of overcrowded prison cells and wearing a gold Rolex watch worth about $50,000 drew criticism on social media.
Another controversy that received widespread public attention was related to her memoir, published in 2024. In the book, Noem revealed that she had killed the family dog, Cricket, because she considered him dangerous and unruly. The story sparked strong reactions online, as she defended the decision, saying that such situations are part of life on the farm.
After more than a year at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security, her departure marks the end of a tenure characterized by numerous controversies and political debates.
