Trump turns on Kristi Noem as insiders reveal the sensational moment he erupted and asked: Should I FIRE her?
Multiple GOP sources who have spoken to the president have revealed that he has privately weighed in with Republican lawmakers on whether Donald Trump should fire the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Trump started working the phones after Kristi Noem faced a brutal Republican-led investigation before the Senate and House Judiciary committees on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Speaker Mike Johnson even raised the need for possible change at the top of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during a recent retreat for top Republicans in Fort Lauderdale.
But the prospect is less clear, as Republicans are privately concerned they might not get the 51 votes needed to approve a new name change, according to Punchbowl News.
The president was particularly angered by his responses to Sen. John Kennedy, who criticized him for his botched immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and a $220 million taxpayer-funded campaign to boost his national profile.
The cinematic ad showed the former South Dakota governor galloping around Mount Rushmore on horseback alongside a crowd of bison wearing cowboy hats. The contract was awarded to an LLC that subcontracted with a firm run by the husband of DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, who later resigned.
Noem squirmed under the Louisiana senator’s slow-burn, sweet drawl, and he methodically dismantled her defense line by line.
‘Did the President pre-approve you to spend $220 million to run TV ads across the country featuring you?’ Kennedy asked.
Donald Trump has privately discussed with Republican lawmakers whether he should fire Kristi Noem, multiple sources say
The Secretary of Homeland Security has faced criticism over a taxpayer-funded campaign designed to boost his national profile, including an ad showing him on horseback at Mount Rushmore
Cinematic ad showed Noem galloping alongside a crowd of cowboy hat-wearing bison
Noem responded: ‘Yes sir, we have gone through the legal process.’
Kennedy retorted: ‘Did the President know you were going to do this?’
Noem claimed Trump did that, and Kennedy asked again, her voice rising in mock surprise: ‘Did he do that?’
The homeland chief replied: ‘Uh-huh, yes.’
Kennedy told Noem that the ads are “effective in getting your name known.” In my view, this puts the President in an extremely awkward position.’
This wasn’t the only acrimonious altercation with a top Republican to make headlines.
Thom Tillis then launched into a finger-poking tirade, branding his tenure a ‘disaster’ and demanding he resign immediately.
The North Carolina Republican pressed him for refusing to accept responsibility for the killing of protesters by federal agents in Minneapolis in January, and Trump pushed him aside.
The Secretary of Homeland Security wore a gold watch and a $700 Veronica Beard double-breasted tweed jacket
Noem’s husband, Bryon, could be seen sitting behind his wife with a deadpan expression while constantly arguing about her relationship with Corey Lewandowski.
Lewandowski attends Donald Trump’s election night vigil party at the Palm Beach County Convention Center on November 5, 2024
‘What we saw is a complete disaster! ‘Under your leadership, Ms. Noem is a disaster!’ Tillis shouted. ‘What we are seeing is the detention of innocent people.’
Democratic lawmakers at the House hearing the next day were even less restrained in their attacks.
The married mother of three was asked if she had slept with her top assistant Corey Lewandowski, who is also married.
Democratic Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked, “Did you have sexual intercourse with Corey Lewandowski during your tenure as director of the Department of Homeland Security?” he asked.
Noem was furious, calling his claims “offensive” and dismissing them as “tabloid nonsense.”
The Daily Mail exclusively revealed last year that Noem and Lewandowski were in a relationship. They deny a romantic relationship.
According to journalist Alex Isenstadt’s book Revenge, Trump is said to have known the pair very well during the election campaign and had “mischievously raised eyebrows” about their relationship.
Kristi Noem arrives to testify at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Department of Homeland Security Oversight on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday
Noem testifies before the House Judiciary Committee
“Lewandowski knew how to get out of his league,” Trump told aides.
Republicans are divided over whether now is the right moment, for fear that the GOP’s slim six-seat majority would become dangerously thin in any confirmation fight.
Any replacement nominee will face a brutal confirmation test at a time when moderate Republican senators are already eager to voice their dismay at the President’s deadly crackdown on immigrants.
Others warned Trump that pulling the trigger on Noem amid the DHS funding shutdown, now in its 19th day, would give Democrats a significant gain in negotiations.
The White House declined to comment.
A DHS spokesperson said: ‘The domestic advertising campaign was the most successful advertising campaign in US history… The advertising campaign saved US taxpayers more than $39 billion.’
