Noem's Use of Coast Guard Strains Relationship with Military Branch

Tensions rise as Coast Guard resources diverted from core missions to support immigration enforcement

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's relationship with U.S. Coast Guard officials has become strained throughout her first year leading the department, according to multiple sources. The tensions stem from Noem's decisions to shift Coast Guard resources away from search-and-rescue missions to instead support immigration enforcement, including a tenfold increase in the use of Coast Guard aircraft for migrant deportations. This has created a rift between Noem and more senior Coast Guard officials who see it as taking away from the branch's traditional duties.

Why it matters

Noem's leadership at DHS has created a specific split in the Coast Guard, with many rank-and-file members motivated by her approach but more senior officials seeing it as undermining the Coast Guard's core missions. The increased use of Coast Guard resources for immigration enforcement has strained the branch's limited assets and sparked confrontations between Noem's team and Coast Guard personnel.

The details

In one incident, Noem verbally instructed the Coast Guard's acting commandant to pull a C-130 aircraft off a search-and-rescue mission to instead transport detained migrants, though the Coast Guard was able to find alternative aircraft to continue the search. Noem's team has also clashed with Coast Guard staff over her desire to keep personal items on government aircraft, leading to a confrontation where her top adviser berated and threatened to fire flight staff.

  • On February 4, 2025, shortly after Noem's confirmation, a 23-year-old Coast Guardsman went overboard in the Pacific Ocean.
  • In May, Noem's top adviser Corey Lewandowski berated Coast Guard flight staff and threatened to fire them over Noem's personal items left on a plane.

The players

Kristi Noem

The Homeland Security Secretary whose leadership has created tensions with U.S. Coast Guard officials.

Admiral Kevin Lunday

The Acting Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard who was instructed by Noem to pull a C-130 aircraft off a search-and-rescue mission.

Corey Lewandowski

Noem's top adviser who berated and threatened to fire Coast Guard flight staff over the secretary's personal items left on a plane.

Linda Fagan

The former Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard who was evicted from housing at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling with three hours' notice when Noem took office.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader who criticized Noem's response to the killing of Alex Pretti and said Democrats will reject government funding bills unless the DHS measure is removed and reformed.

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What they’re saying

“The primary mission was search-and-rescue. And now the number one stated mission of the Coast Guard is border security, that is a cultural change that the culture hasn't quite caught up to.”

— Former Coast Guard Official

“There is a general atmosphere of 'keep your head down; you don't want to be on the firing line.'”

— Former Coast Guard Official

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.