Calls for replacing Kristi Noem as the chief of the Department of Homeland Security started after two US citizens were killed by federal agents under her department during the immigration crackdown. But the frustration was building up inside the administration, brewing for months and several factors led to it. President Donald Trump did not diss Noem’s leadership as he booted her out. And in fact, Trump gave her a new post despite her blunders as he announced that Noem will be the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, which is a new security initiative in teh Western Hemisphere, Trump said. The President praised Kristi Noem for serving well and bringing in spectacular results especially on the border.
But what led to Noem’s brutal firing?
Lie about $220 million immigration ad campaign
The DHS spent $220 million on ads promoting immigration policies and these ads mostly featured Noem herself. In the face of criticism that she spent taxpayers’ money for self-promotion, Noem put the blame on the president ad said Trump approved the campaign. Trump denied and insiders said he was furious that Noem lied about him in her testimony to Congress.
Secret affair with Corey Lewandowski
According to insiders, Kristi Noem’s affair with Corey Lewandowski — both married and parents — was an open secret.
During her Congress testimony, she was asked point-blank whether she had sexual relationship with Lewandowski. Noem trashed the speculation as garbage. Lewandowski is not very highly regarded in the MAGA circles as he allegedly has a decades-long record of physical battery sexual harassment, illegal lobbying for a Venezuelan oil company and bringing a loaded gun into a federal building. Donald Trump does not like him and he did not approve him as Noem’s chief of staff as he was aware of their past romance.
Pilot fired over missing blanket
ICE barbie Noem got a Coast Guard pilot, Keith Thomas, fired last May over a missing blanket. The incident came to light this year as Kristi Noem was already getting embroiled in several controversies. But many believe that the blanket was a cover-up for something bigger and Lewandowski played a huge role in the episode. Lewandowski reportedly entered the cockpit of a government jet looking for what was said to be a heated blanket belonging to Noem that had been left behind after the pair switched aircraft when their original plane broke down. Reports claimed it was actually a mystery bag with some embarrassing content inside.
Misconduct: Killing pet dog
All past controversies of the former South Dakota governor came back to haunt her as she came under scrutiny. She was earlier accused of using her position to help her daughter get a real estate appraiser license. Noem also shot her own dog Cricket, as it turned violent.
Immigration crackdown in Minneapolis
The killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two US citizens, in Minneapolis marked the end of Kristi Noem. It was alleged that under her authority, immigration officers abused the rights of immigrants and American citizens and used excessive force.
