Kristi Noem’s Controversial DHS Tenure

Kristi Noem's year-long tenure as homeland security secretary has been plagued by controversies. She led an aggressive immigration crackdown that has prompted protests and lawsuits. There have been scandals, legally dubious deportations condemned by human rights groups, taxpayer-funded publicity campaigns, and false claims about US citizens.

Noem was confirmed by the Senate on 25 January by a 59–34 vote, with some bipartisan support. She was sworn in that same day and resigned as governor of South Dakota to take the position. Within days, she joined federal immigration enforcement operations, including raids targeting undocumented immigrants in New York. Major controversies emerged pretty much immediately into her tenure, including the deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García, whom the Trump administration admitted was mistakenly sent to an El Salvador mega-prison.

The Trump administration tried repeatedly to use social media and so-called “Maga influencers” to push their policies and popularize the deportation campaigns. In early October, Noem toured the ICE facility in Portland, accompanied by a trio of conservative influencers, one of many examples of right-leaning media figures given special access in exchange for more positive coverage. A turning point came early this year when immigration enforcement operations intensified to unprecedented degrees, resulting in the killing of two US citizens in Minneapolis, triggering nationwide protests.

Noem appeared before Congress amid escalating scrutiny over enforcement tactics and departmental spending. Lawmakers questioned DHS leadership over the Minneapolis killings, agency oversight, and alleged obstruction of investigations. Several members of Congress began publicly calling for her resignation or removal. By mid-February, it emerged that Tricia McLaughlin, the homeland security department’s top spokesperson, was leaving. Yet another political scandal erupted over a $220m DHS advertising campaign for border security that prominently featured Noem in promotional material.