Overview
- Seventeen sources cited by Politico say officials and lawmakers are discussing possible successors to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, with several believing she may seek a graceful exit to prepare a 2028 bid.
- The White House and DHS deny any planned change, with a spokesperson calling the reports “fake news,” and on Wednesday President Trump publicly lauded Noem and dismissed talk that he intends to fire her.
- Names floated by administration sources as potential replacements include Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Fox News contributor Jason Chaffetz, with one source calling Chaffetz “uniquely confirmable.”
- Internal complaints focus on how newly appropriated DHS funds are being deployed, perceived procurement delays on removal flights and detention capacity, and friction tied to Noem’s rivalry with border czar Tom Homan and the influence of Corey Lewandowski.
- Senate Democrats have requested a formal investigation into a $200 million DHS advertising campaign promoting self-deportations after ProPublica’s reporting on contractor ties, while DHS says it does not control subcontractor selection.