Ex-DOJ Prosecutor Slams Noem's DHS Tenure: 'One Sickening Moment Should Have Been the End'

Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance says Kristi Noem should have been fired long before now as DHS head.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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An ex-attorney appointed by former President Barack Obama says Kristi Noem should have been fired long before now as head of the Department of Homeland Security, and one particular 'sickening' moment was enough to give her the boot. Vance highlighted several instances of Noem's controversial actions and rhetoric during her tenure, including an incident where ICE agents manhandled a U.S. senator and Noem's refusal to apologize for the deaths of two civilians at the hands of ICE.

Why it matters

Noem's actions as DHS head, including restricting Congressional oversight, mishandling disaster relief, and defending ICE agents' use of force, have drawn widespread criticism and calls for her removal. This case raises questions about accountability for government officials accused of abuses of power and whether 'one sickening moment' should be enough to end a cabinet secretary's tenure.

The details

According to former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, Kristi Noem should have been fired from her position as DHS head long before now. Vance pointed to several instances of Noem's controversial actions, including an incident where ICE agents manhandled and zip-tied California Senator Alex Padilla, despite Padilla clearly identifying himself. Instead of apologizing, Noem criticized the senator on social media. Vance also condemned a 'sickening' photo of Noem posing in front of CECOT prisoners, saying it showed she was 'unfit to be a cabinet secretary.' Under Noem's leadership, ICE also denied members of Congress access to detention facilities, preventing oversight, and FEMA payments were tied up during natural disasters.

  • In January 2026, Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis.
  • In June 2025, California Senator Alex Padilla was manhandled and zip-tied by ICE agents during a press conference with Noem.
  • Noem has since been made special envoy for the Shield of Americas.

The players

Kristi Noem

The former head of the Department of Homeland Security, who has faced widespread criticism for her actions and rhetoric during her tenure.

Joyce Vance

A former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, appointed by former President Barack Obama, who has criticized Noem's actions as DHS head.

Alex Padilla

A California senator who was manhandled and zip-tied by ICE agents during a press conference with Noem.

Renee Good

A civilian killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis in January 2026.

Alex Pretti

A civilian killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis in January 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Further back, there was the incident with California Senator Alex Padilla last June. Padilla tried to ask Noem a question during a press conference she was holding in his state. Agents manhandled him to the ground and zip-tied him, as he audibly identified himself. Noem said afterwards on Fox News that Padilla lunged toward the podium where she was speaking and failed to say who he was. That's a lie too, as video from multiple angles showed.”

— Joyce Vance, Former U.S. Attorney (Substack)

“This pose in front of CECOT prisoners. Sickening. Unfit to be a cabinet secretary.”

— Joyce Vance, Former U.S. Attorney (Substack)

What’s next

Noem has since been made special envoy for the Shield of Americas, but the controversy surrounding her tenure as DHS head continues to be a subject of debate and scrutiny.

The takeaway

Noem's actions as DHS head, including restricting Congressional oversight, mishandling disaster relief, and defending ICE agents' use of force, have drawn widespread criticism and calls for her removal. This case raises questions about accountability for government officials accused of abuses of power and whether 'one sickening moment' should be enough to end a cabinet secretary's tenure.