Capitol Hill exploded with reactions on Thursday as news spread that President had ousted Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary
“That shes gone, you know â hallelujah,” Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., told Fox News Digital on Thursday.
“That hes the replacement, oh my God. I dont know what else to say,” McGovern said, referring to Trumps next pick for the role, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.
Trumps decision, which drew cautious praise from Republicans and widespread jubilation from Democrats, came on the heels of news that Noem had spent over $220 million developing an ad campaign â news that broke during a bruising
During questioning from Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., Noem said President Donald Trump had personally signed off on the expenditure.
“The president approved ahead of time you spending $220 million running TV ads across the country in which you are featured prominently?” Kennedy asked.
“Yes, he did,” Noem said.
The exchange reportedly enraged Trump, who contested Noems claim.
More broadly, Noems removal comes as as a key tool in Trumps immigration crackdown. In particular, criticism of the agency burst into view after immigration enforcement shot and killed two civilians in January, after Minnesota agitators got into confrontations with federal agents.
In response to the shootings, Noem said her agents had acted in self-defense and protected themselves from credible threats.
Noem wont be leaving the administration entirely. Instead of heading up DHS, she will now become Trumps special envoy for The Shield of the Americas, a new coalition of countries in Latin America.
To Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the buildup of just a matter of time.
“Well, I think basically the president had no choice,” Raskin said, citing revelations over the agencys handling.
Others, like Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, believed she should never have had the job to begin with.
“The thing about Kristi Noem is that she was never qualified for that role. Nothing in her service in Congress or her background as a governor that was far away from the Southern Border ever suggested she was qualified for the role, and during her service, I think she proved that she wasnt,” Castro said.
Noem served as from 2019 to 2025.
believes thats more than she deserves.
“Moving her to another location does not bring about the justice that we seek. She should be removed â not moved. This is a reckless president, and he has to be stopped. Not only should Ms. Noem be impeached, but the President of the United States should be impeached as well,” Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, said.
When asked about Mullin as Noems replacement, they hoped he would consider operational reforms to ICE that Democrats have demanded as a condition for funding the department in 2026.
“My hope is that Sen. Mullin understands that the vast majority of Americans support reforms to the lawlessness weve seen from ICE,” Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D-Md., said.
Republicans, for their part, applauded his selection.
“Certainly, it was the presidents prerogative who serves in his cabinet. Markwayne Mullin has been a great senator for the state of Oklahoma. Hell make a great homeland security secretary,” Rep. Russel Fry, R-S.C., said.
Fox News Digital reached out to DHS.
