Trending Now - Kristi Noem and Kari Lake Face Backlash Over Controversial Moves
WHO:
Kristi Noem, former Secretary of Homeland Security
President Donald Trump
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., nominated to replace Noem
California Governor Gavin Newsom
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security
President Donald Trump
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., nominated to replace Noem
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.
California Governor Gavin Newsom
Renee Good and Alex Pretti, victims of shootings during immigration enforcement
Marcus Coleman, father of a girl injured by an illegal migrant truck driver
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) staff and officials
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security
President Donald Trump
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar
California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Marcus Coleman, father of Dalilah Coleman
Dalilah Coleman, child injured by an illegal immigrant driver
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security
President Donald Trump
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., nominated to replace Noem
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
California Governor Gavin Newsom
Marcus Coleman, father of a girl injured by an illegal migrant truck driver
Renee Good and Alex Pretti, individuals killed during a federal immigration crackdown
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations
Patty O’Keefe, Minneapolis resident
Lucy Olson, psychologist in Minneapolis
Thom Tillis, GOP Senator from North Carolina
Michael Coen, former FEMA chief of staff
Colette Delawalla, executive director of Stand Up For Science
Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security
President Donald Trump
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., nominated to replace Noem
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., questioned Noem during hearings
California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized Noem
Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two protestors killed during immigration enforcement
Marcus Coleman, father of a girl injured by an illegal immigrant truck driver
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., commented on ICE numbers
Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations
Patty O’Keefe, Minneapolis resident detained during the crackdown
Lucy Olson, psychologist who organized volunteer efforts
Michael Coen, former FEMA chief of staff
Craig Fugate, former FEMA director
WHAT:
Trump stated he was "not thrilled" with Noem's $220 million ad campaign and claimed he was unaware of it.
Noem's management led to a backlog of FEMA disaster reimbursements reaching $17 billion.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey estimated the federal immigration operation cost the city’s economy $203 million in January 2026.
Noem was criticized for prioritizing a $220 million ad campaign over disaster relief for fire-ravaged communities, according to Newsom.
Kristi Noem was ousted from her position as Secretary of Homeland Security on March 5, 2026.
President Trump announced Noem's replacement by Sen. Markwayne Mullin, effective March 31, 2026.
Noem was criticized for a $220 million ad campaign promoting her department, which she claimed was approved by Trump.
The ad campaign included footage of Noem riding a horse in front of Mount Rushmore.
Trump stated he was "not thrilled" with the ad campaign and claimed he was unaware of it.
Noem's tenure included over 3 million deportations in the past year.
The DHS has been partially shut down for nearly three weeks due to funding disputes.
Noem was reassigned to a new role as Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas.
Kristi Noem was ousted from her position as Secretary of Homeland Security on March 5, 2026.
President Trump announced on Truth Social that he would nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace Noem, effective March 31, 2026.
Noem will become the Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas.
Noem faced criticism for a $220 million ad campaign aimed at reducing illegal immigration, which included her prominently featured.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been partially shut down for nearly three weeks.
Noem's tenure saw over 3 million deportations in the last year.
The ad campaign was criticized for its cost, which was compared to the budgets of major Hollywood films.
Kristi Noem was ousted as Secretary of Homeland Security on March 5, 2026.
President Trump announced Noem's replacement by Sen. Markwayne Mullin, effective March 31, 2026.
Noem will become the Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas.
Noem faced criticism for a $220 million ad campaign promoting her department's immigration policies.
The ad campaign included footage of Noem riding a horse in front of Mount Rushmore.
Trump stated he was "not thrilled" with the ad campaign and claimed he was unaware of it.
Noem's tenure included over 3 million deportations in the past year.
The Department of Homeland Security has been partially shut down for nearly three weeks as of March 2026.
The immigration crackdown in Minneapolis led to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
The federal immigration operation in Minnesota peaked at around 3,000 officers.
Kristi Noem was ousted from her position as Secretary of Homeland Security on March 5, 2026.
Trump announced Noem's replacement by Sen. Markwayne Mullin, effective March 31, 2026.
Noem will become the Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas.
Noem faced criticism for a $220 million ad campaign promoting immigration enforcement.
The ad campaign included footage of Noem riding a horse in front of Mount Rushmore.
Trump stated he was "not thrilled" with the ad campaign and claimed he was unaware of it.
Noem's tenure included record drug interdictions and over 2 million self-deportations in 2025.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been partially shut down for nearly three weeks.
The ad campaign was criticized for its cost and the bidding process for contracts.
Noem's management led to a backlog of FEMA disaster reimbursements reaching $17 billion.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey estimated the federal immigration operation cost the city’s economy $203 million in January 2026.
WHERE:
Washington, D.C. (location of congressional hearings)
Minneapolis, Minnesota (site of immigration enforcement incidents)
Doral, Florida (location of the Shield of the Americas summit)
Washington, D.C. (location of congressional hearings)
Nashville, Tennessee (location of Noem's speech after her ousting)
Doral, Florida (location of the Shield of the Americas summit)
Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Trump National Doral, Florida
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Washington, D.C.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
California (specific locations mentioned include Los Angeles)
WHEN:
March 5, 2026 - Noem was ousted from her position.
March 31, 2026 - Markwayne Mullin's appointment as DHS chief becomes effective.
March 5, 2026 - Noem was ousted from her position.
March 31, 2026 - Markwayne Mullin's appointment as DHS chief becomes effective.
March 2, 2026 - Trump spoke about Iran before a Medal of Honor ceremony.
January 2025 - The DHS ad campaign was launched.
Noem was ousted on March 5, 2026.
Trump announced Mullin's nomination on March 5, 2026.
The DHS funding bill was blocked on March 5, 2026.
The ad campaign was launched in early 2025.
Noem was ousted on March 5, 2026.
Trump announced Mullin's nomination on March 5, 2026.
Mullin's appointment is effective March 31, 2026.
The DHS funding bill was blocked on March 5, 2026.
The ad campaign was launched in early 2025.
Noem was ousted on March 5, 2026.
Trump announced Mullin's nomination on March 5, 2026.
The ad campaign was launched in early 2025.
The DHS has been partially shut down for nearly three weeks as of March 5, 2026.
The House is expected to vote on a modified DHS funding bill on March 7, 2026.
WHY:
Noem's ousting was attributed to criticism over her leadership, particularly regarding the ad campaign and the fallout from immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.
Noem faced criticism for her handling of immigration enforcement and the ad campaign, which was seen as wasteful spending.
The decision to remove Noem was influenced by internal conflicts and her performance during congressional hearings.
Noem's ousting was attributed to internal turmoil, leadership failures, and controversies surrounding her handling of immigration enforcement and the ad campaign.
Trump was reportedly "furious" with Noem's performance during congressional hearings.
Noem's firing was attributed to internal turmoil, leadership missteps, and controversies surrounding her handling of immigration enforcement.
Criticism arose from both Democrats and Republicans regarding the ad campaign and its costs.
The fallout from the immigration crackdown in Minnesota contributed to her ousting.
Noem's ousting was attributed to criticism over her leadership, particularly regarding the ad campaign and the fallout from immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.
Trump was reportedly frustrated with Noem's performance and the controversies surrounding her tenure.
HOW:
Noem's ad campaign was funded through taxpayer dollars and involved contracts awarded without a competitive bidding process.
Noem's ad campaign was funded through taxpayer dollars and involved contracts awarded without a competitive bidding process.
Trump communicated his dissatisfaction with Noem's performance to Sen. Kennedy after her congressional testimony.
Noem defended the ad campaign during congressional hearings, stating it was approved by Trump and went through legal processes.
The ad campaign was funded through contracts awarded without a fully competitive bidding process, citing "an unusual and compelling urgency."
Noem defended the ad campaign during congressional hearings, stating it was approved by Trump and went through legal processes.
The ad campaign was funded through contracts awarded without a fully competitive bidding process.
Noem defended the ad campaign during congressional hearings, stating it was approved by Trump and went through legal processes.
The ad campaign was funded through taxpayer dollars, with contracts awarded without a fully competitive bidding process.
Noem's management style involved personally approving all contracts and grants over $100,000, which led to delays in disaster relief funding.
(UPDATED March 8, 2026 15:51 UTC)
On March 5, 2026, Kristi Noem was ousted from her position as Secretary of Homeland Security after facing criticism for prioritizing a $220 million ad campaign over disaster relief efforts, which left FEMA disaster reimbursements at a staggering $17 billion backlog. President Trump expressed he was "not thrilled" with Noem's campaign, claiming he was unaware of it, while California Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the negative impact on fire-ravaged communities. Senator Markwayne Mullin has been nominated to replace Noem, with his appointment set to take effect on March 31, 2026.
--
(UPDATED March 8, 2026 13:14 UTC)
In a significant shakeup, Kristi Noem was ousted from her role as Secretary of Homeland Security on March 5, 2026, following criticism over a controversial $220 million ad campaign that showcased her riding a horse in front of Mount Rushmore. President Trump announced that Sen. Markwayne Mullin will replace Noem, with his appointment taking effect on March 31, 2026. The ad campaign, funded through taxpayer dollars, faced backlash for its perceived wastefulness and was reportedly approved without a competitive bidding process. Trump's dissatisfaction with Noem's performance was communicated to Sen. John Kennedy after her congressional testimony, amid ongoing funding disputes that have partially shut down the Department of Homeland Security for nearly three weeks. Following her removal, Noem has been reassigned as Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, while her tenure included overseeing over 3 million deportations in the past year.
--
(UPDATED March 8, 2026 07:08 UTC)
In a significant shake-up, Kristi Noem was ousted from her role as Secretary of Homeland Security on March 5, 2026, amid criticism over her handling of immigration enforcement and a controversial $220 million ad campaign. President Trump announced on Truth Social that he would nominate Senator Markwayne Mullin to take her place, effective March 31, 2026, while Noem will transition to become the Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas. The Department of Homeland Security has faced a partial shutdown for nearly three weeks, following the blockage of the DHS funding bill on the same day Noem was removed. During congressional hearings, Noem defended the ad campaign, which was criticized for its high cost and lack of competitive bidding, claiming it was approved by Trump and deemed urgent. The fallout from Noem's tenure included over 3 million deportations in the last year, as well as a reported fury from Trump regarding her performance during those hearings.
--
(UPDATED March 7, 2026 22:58 UTC)
Kristi Noem was ousted as Secretary of Homeland Security on March 5, 2026, amid internal turmoil and criticism over her handling of immigration enforcement. President Trump announced that Sen. Markwayne Mullin would replace her, with the appointment taking effect on March 31, 2026. Noem will transition to the role of Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas after facing backlash for a $220 million ad campaign promoting her department's policies, which included controversial footage of her riding a horse in front of Mount Rushmore. The fallout from a federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, which resulted in the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, also contributed to her dismissal. Trump's dissatisfaction with the ad campaign, which he claimed he was unaware of, further fueled the decision to remove Noem from her position.
--
Kristi Noem was ousted from her role as Secretary of Homeland Security on March 5, 2026, amid criticism over her management and a controversial ad campaign promoting immigration enforcement. President Trump announced that Senator Markwayne Mullin would take over the position effective March 31, 2026, while Noem transitions to become the Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas. The ad campaign, which included footage of Noem riding a horse in front of Mount Rushmore, faced backlash for its $220 million cost and the lack of a competitive bidding process for contracts. During congressional hearings, Noem defended the campaign, claiming it had been approved by Trump and followed legal protocols, but her leadership faced scrutiny for a backlog of FEMA disaster reimbursements reaching $17 billion. As the Department of Homeland Security remains partially shut down, the House is set to vote on a modified funding bill today, March 7, 2026.