Maryland Leaders React to Firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

Elected officials in Maryland express relief and call for reforms after President Trump dismisses Noem from her post

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Following the firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem by President Donald Trump, numerous elected leaders in Maryland have reacted to the news. Figures like Governor Wes Moore, Congressman Kweisi Mfume, and Councilman Mark Conway have all criticized Noem's tenure, citing issues like the mistreatment of communities, the killing of civilians, and the withholding of disaster aid. They have also expressed concerns about Noem's replacement, Senator Markwayne Mullin, who they say has a history of supporting the very abuses that defined Noem's time in office.

Why it matters

Noem's dismissal comes after growing criticism over her leadership of the Department of Homeland Security, with many accusing her of overstepping her authority, violating civil liberties, and failing to provide adequate support to communities in need. The reactions from Maryland officials highlight the broader concerns about the direction of the department and the need for significant reforms to restore public trust.

The details

President Trump fired Kristi Noem from her position as Homeland Security Secretary on Thursday, following mounting criticism over her role. Maryland leaders have since reacted strongly to the news, with Governor Wes Moore calling it a "good riddance" and saying the state had been denied support under Noem's leadership. Congressman Kweisi Mfume accused Noem of presiding over abuses like the shooting deaths of two American citizens by her own law enforcement officers, the terrorizing of communities, and the withholding of disaster aid. Other officials, like Congressman Glenn Ivey and Councilman Mark Conway, have also condemned Noem's tenure and expressed concerns about her replacement, Senator Markwayne Mullin, who they say has a history of supporting the very issues that defined Noem's time in office.

  • Kristi Noem was fired from her position as Homeland Security Secretary on Thursday, March 6, 2026.

The players

Wes Moore

The Governor of Maryland who has been critical of Noem's leadership and called her firing a "good riddance".

Kweisi Mfume

A Congressman from Maryland who accused Noem of presiding over abuses and supported articles of impeachment against her.

Kristi Noem

The former Homeland Security Secretary who was fired by President Trump amid growing criticism over her leadership.

Markwayne Mullin

The Senator from Oklahoma who has been nominated to replace Noem as the new Homeland Security Secretary, but who has also faced criticism for supporting the very issues that defined Noem's tenure.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who fired Kristi Noem from her position as Homeland Security Secretary.

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What they’re saying

“This is a good day. This is something that, frankly, we have called for this ever since last year, when she denied any support for Western Maryland, even though they had historic floods. … My response is good riddance. But then that the new secretary, I hope that we can work with the new secretary to make sure that all of our communities in Maryland, including our communities in Western Maryland, who thus far have been denied any supports.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland (wbal.com)

“Under Secretary Noem's failed leadership, two American citizens — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — were shot and killed in the streets by her own law enforcement officers, communities have been terrorized by masked, unidentified officers, and billions in critical disaster assistance has been withheld from families waiting for help that never came. That is why I supported articles of impeachment against Secretary Noem and refused to vote to provide one more dollar for ICE and Customs and Border Protection without real reforms and accountability.”

— Kweisi Mfume, Congressman (wbal.com)

“Kristi Noem turned the Department of Homeland Security into a staging ground for cruelty. Communities were forced to host concentration camps, secret police were unleashed on our streets, and she governed with the same callousness she showed when she bragged about killing her own puppy.”

— Mark Conway, Councilman (wbal.com)

What’s next

The Senate will now consider the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin to replace Kristi Noem as the new Homeland Security Secretary, with many Maryland officials expressing concerns about Mullin's past record.

The takeaway

Noem's dismissal represents a significant shift in the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security, but it remains to be seen whether her replacement will bring the necessary reforms to address the department's history of abuses and restore public trust. Maryland leaders are calling for a new direction that upholds civil liberties and provides support to all communities, regardless of political affiliation.