By: Gabrielle Oudkerk
As of March 31, Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), will be terminated from her position in the United States (U.S). President Donald Trump stated in a social media post his feelings on the termination.
“The current secretary, Kristi Noem, who has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the border), will be moving to be special envoy for The Shield of the Americas, our new security initiative in the Western Hemisphere we are announcing on Saturday in Doral, Florida. I thank Kristi for her service at Homeland.”
However, NBC News reported that Trump was “frustrated” and “incensed by her performance,” referring to the recent Senate hearing on DHS oversight.
The hearing lasted over four hours and had Senate members questioning Noem’s management of DHS.
Minnesota Democratic Senator (Sen.) Amy Klobuchar asked Noem if she had anything to say to Alex Pretti’s parents about her claims of him being a “domestic terrorist” and if she wanted to apologize for that claim, referring to the man who was shot and killed by DHS in Minnesota in January.
Noem responded, “I did not call him a domestic terrorist. I said it appeared to be an instance of domestic terrorism.”
“I think the parents saw what it was,” Klobuchar responded.
Noem continued, “When you perpetuate violence against a government because of ideological reasons and for reasons to resist and perpetuate violence, that is the definition of domestic terrorism.”
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin continued on the subject of. “Do you retract these statements identifying these individuals as domestic terrorists?” Durbin asked.
Noem responded by mentioning that these are tragic situations, and that she and the department offer their condolences
Noem continued, “We always work to provide the American people with as much information as possible. We’re relying on reports on the ground and agents who are there.”
“Is it so hard to say you were wrong?” Durbin asked.
Noem responds by mentioning that she looks to provide factual information about the case, as the investigation is still going on.
On Oct. 2 of last year, the government shut down. Throughout this shutdown, where government funding was restricted if allowed at all, Noem shot a television ad funded by 200 million taxpayer dollars, according to ProPublica.
This specific use of taxpayer dollars concerned members of the Senate, who questioned her about it.
Republican Sens. Tillis and John Kennedy of Louisiana questioned Nome on their concerns.
“How do you square that concern for waste, which I share, with the fact you have spent $220 million running television advertisements that feature you prominently?” Kennedy asks.
Nome then claimed that the president wanted her to create the advertisement to commercialize anti-illegal-immigration rhetoric.
The campaign for the sake of the president was “Extremely effective,” Noem says.
Senator Kennedy then asks Nome about the companies used to fund and produce the ads, including the bidding process and contracts.
“Safe America Media was a company formed 11 days before you picked them, and The Strategy Group got most of the money, and the head of that is married to your former spokesperson.” Says Kennedy. He continues to question the legitimacy of the company, including four other companies, he says, that weren’t made for the purpose of serving the American people.
Kennedy continued to argue about the waste of spending. He says $220 million dollars “troubles me.”
“I just can’t agree,” Kennedy says.
Throughout the hearing, members of the Senate expressed that she should resign from her position.
“A 14-month old dog is basically a teenager in dog years,” Tillis said. He is referring to a book written by Nome, and she tells a story of her shooting her 14-month-old dog dead.
Tillie continues to try to get Nome to justify her killing the dog as a plausible reason for her resignation. Till then refers back to the accusations that the Senate had against DHS on arresting and killing American citizens.
“We’re beginning to get the American people to think that deporting people is wrong. It’s the exact opposite. The way you’re going about deporting them is wrong.” Tills adds.
The senator then tries to get Nome to admit her faults with the management of the DHS and the deaths of US citizens Renée Good and Alex Pretti
“Law enforcement needs to learn,” he said, “that you don’t protect them by not looking at the facts.”
NBC News reported about the DHS’s purchasing of luxury planes for the purpose of deportations, but later revealed Cabinet members as well, including Noem.
Democratic senator Sheldon Whitehouse presents a photo which shows a picture of a bedroom in which it is the inside of one of the luxury private jets that the DHS spent US taxpayer dollars on. Approximately $70 million.
“What kind of deportee justifies being flown out of the country in a luxury jet with a bedroom and accommodations?” Whitehouse asked
Nome denies the accuracy of the photos that the senator used, talking about how the room is being remodeled. Furthermore, she attempts to justify the claim by stating how the department is looking to use the planes for deportation purposes.
Senator Kennedy then spoke again on the issue by saying, “I want to see her succeed, but I’m not going to sit here and watch this kind of spending porn of a cabinet secretary putting herself on TV to the tune of $220-plus million dollars without saying anything, and the advertisements are still running.”
While it isn’t clear as to whether Trump was already considering firing Noem based on the speculation and comments made by the president himself, a new person has been appointed to her role.
Markwayne Mullin, Trump’s new appointee to DHS secretary, is a former MMA fighter who attended Missouri Valley College and Oklahoma State University.
According to Reuters, Mullin is a close friend of President Trump, who described Mullin as the “MAGA warrior.”
Senate leader John Thune called Mullin a “Senate whisperer” who can influence Trump on the inside.
Senator Mullin currently serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and the Indian Affairs Committee.
According to The City Wire Staff, Mullin has also faced a multi-year ethics investigation over his involvement with his family‘s plumbing business while serving the House of Representatives, a case which is causing speculation towards his newly appointed role.