President Donald Trump publicly criticized a multimillion-dollar Department of Homeland Security advertising campaign featuring former Secretary Kristi Noem, intensifying scrutiny around the spending just days after he removed her from the cabinet and nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to lead the agency.
Trump's comments came in his first public remarks following Noem's dismissal, signaling frustration with the roughly $220 million DHS promotional campaign that prominently featured the former secretary as the face of the administration's immigration enforcement strategy.
Speaking to NBC News, Trump distanced himself from the project and questioned its cost.
"I wasn't thrilled," Trump said of the campaign. He added: "I spent less money than that to become president."
The remark underscored a growing dispute between the White House and Noem over who authorized the initiative, which became one of the most visible public-relations efforts associated with the administration's immigration crackdown.
During congressional testimony earlier this week, Noem told lawmakers the president had supported the campaign, which was designed to highlight deportation efforts and promote the administration's border enforcement policies.
Trump later contradicted that claim, telling reporters he had not been aware that such a large sum of money would be spent.
The dispute over the campaign's authorization appears to have intensified tensions between the president and the former Homeland Security chief. According to reporting cited by National Review, Trump was described as "privately furious" about the advertising effort and the implication that he had approved it.
The campaign itself drew criticism from lawmakers and government watchdogs because of its scale and the fact that it prominently featured Noem, raising questions about whether federal funds were being used to promote a cabinet official's public profile.
The controversy over the advertising program emerged alongside a series of political and operational disputes during Noem's tenure at DHS.
Among the issues cited by critics:
- Disputes with the U.S. Coast Guard over operational decisions.
- Allegations that DHS redirected resources away from a search-and-rescue mission for a missing service member.
- Growing tension with lawmakers over immigration enforcement policies.
Democrats in the House of Representatives have also moved toward possible impeachment proceedings against Noem. More than 100 lawmakers reportedly signed onto articles accusing her of misconduct.
The proposed articles cite three alleged violations:
- Obstruction of Congress, including claims lawmakers were prevented from entering DHS facilities.
- Violation of public trust, tied to immigration enforcement practices and due process concerns.
- Self-dealing, related to the advertising contract connected to the DHS campaign.
Noem's removal from the administration comes as the Department of Homeland Security remains central to Trump's broader immigration agenda, which has emphasized expanded detention capacity and accelerated deportation operations.
Trump moved quickly to nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, as her successor. In announcing the nomination, Trump praised the lawmaker, saying he was a "big fan of the senator from Oklahoma."
Mullin, who does not have a background in federal law enforcement, told reporters he welcomed the opportunity to lead the department.
"I'm super excited about this opportunity," Mullin said, adding that his goal is to "keep the homeland secure."
He also signaled he would attempt to build support for his confirmation across party lines.
"I'm going to try to earn everybody's vote," Mullin said. "If they have real concerns I'm going to listen to it, I'm going to be practical."
