WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump fired his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday after mounting criticism over her leadership of the department, including the handling of the administration's immigration crackdown and disaster response.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., speaks with reporters on the steps at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sworn in before appearing for an oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The top Democrat in the U.S House applauded the firing of DHS chief Kristi Noem, while also demanding the Trump administration make policy changes in how Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates.
Three U.S. citizens who had been detained by ICE from left, Javier Ramirez of Calif., Leonardo “Leo” Garcia Venegas of Ala., and Marimar Martinez of Chicago, stand and are introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Ct., as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appears for an oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sworn in during a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing of the Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem looks on as family members of victims stand during a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing of the Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., speaks with reporters on the steps at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sworn in before appearing for an oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Three U.S. citizens who had been detained by ICE from left, Javier Ramirez of Calif., Leonardo “Leo” Garcia Venegas of Ala., and Marimar Martinez of Chicago, stand and are introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Ct., as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appears for an oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sworn in during a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing of the Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem looks on as family members of victims stand during a House Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearing of the Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
