Kristi Noem Ousted as DHS Secretary After Trump Advertising Scandal

Noem's claim that Trump approved $220 million ad campaign was the 'last straw' for the president, say GOP senators.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Kristi Noem was fired as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday, with Republican senators and sources familiar with the events citing her claim at a Senate hearing that President Trump had approved a $220 million advertising campaign promoting her leadership as the final straw that cost her the job. Trump had considered firing Noem earlier over the fatal shootings of two protesters by federal officers in Minneapolis, but held off to avoid appearing to give in to Democratic demands. However, Noem's assertion that Trump had blessed the controversial ad campaign, which sidestepped the normal bidding process, was seen as the 'last straw' that dragged the president into a potential scandal.

Why it matters

Noem's ouster highlights the growing tensions between the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers over her handling of high-profile incidents and her apparent misuse of taxpayer funds for self-promotional advertising. The controversy could also provide ammunition for Democratic investigators if they regain control of the House in the upcoming elections.

The details

The $220 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign promoted Noem's leadership but sidestepped the normal competitive bidding process, instead awarding the contract to a firm with ties to Noem's political operation. Republican senators expressed alarm over the appearance of impropriety, with Sen. Thom Tillis saying 'it certainly looks bad' that Noem claimed to have no involvement in the contract despite her policy of personally reviewing all DHS contracts over $100,000. Noem also faced criticism for her handling of the fatal shootings of protesters in Minneapolis, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski saying her 'rhetoric' and failure to de-escalate the situation was unacceptable.

  • On January 29, Noem remained silent during a Cabinet meeting at the height of the public uproar over the Minneapolis shootings, seen as a sign her days in office were numbered.
  • On February 14, Democrats blocked funding for the Department of Homeland Security and demanded reforms to ICE and CBP in exchange for reopening the department.

The players

Kristi Noem

The former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security who was fired on Thursday after a series of controversies, including her claim that President Trump had approved a $220 million advertising campaign promoting her leadership.

President Donald Trump

The former president who privately signaled his displeasure with Noem's handling of high-profile incidents and ultimately decided to fire her as DHS secretary.

John Thune

The Senate Majority Leader who acknowledged that conversations about Noem's future had been ongoing for some time.

Thom Tillis

A Republican senator and member of the Judiciary Committee who expressed concerns about the appearance of impropriety in Noem's awarding of the $220 million advertising contract.

Lisa Murkowski

A Republican senator who called for Noem to step down as head of the Department of Homeland Security, citing her rhetoric and failure to de-escalate the situation in Minneapolis.

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What they’re saying

“There's been conversations going on, I think, for a while and I haven't been privy to all of them but I'm aware of some of the discussions.”

— John Thune, Senate Majority Leader (The Hill)

“It certainly looks bad. The problem is she undermined her own credibility by saying she reviews everything in detail … but she knew nothing about a $200 million transaction. How do you work those two?”

— Thom Tillis, Republican Senator (The Hill)

“I think she's out of her depth, she's proven that. She doesn't know how to lead, how to de-escalate. She's exposing ICE officers to dangerous situations, she's exposing U.S. citizens to deadly situations.”

— Thom Tillis, Republican Senator (The Hill)

“She needs to go. Rhetoric like that does not help. … She's taken a direction that has not been helpful to the situation.”

— Lisa Murkowski, Republican Senator (The Hill)

What’s next

Trump announced that Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) would be nominated to serve as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, replacing Noem.

The takeaway

Noem's ouster highlights the growing rift between the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers over her handling of high-profile incidents and apparent misuse of taxpayer funds. The controversy could provide ammunition for Democratic investigators if they regain control of the House, underscoring the political fallout from Noem's actions.