Border Czar Homan Publicly Affirms Noem's Authority Amid DHS Turmoil
President Donald Trump's Border Czar, Tom Homan, has publicly declared that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is firmly in charge of the agency's operations. This statement comes despite widespread reports of a significant power struggle between the two Trump appointees over control of the administration's aggressive deportation agenda.
Public Unity Masks Internal Conflict
During an appearance on The Story with Martha McCallum on Fox News, Homan was directly questioned about his role in future immigration operations. When asked if he would become the public face of these efforts, Homan responded unequivocally: "No, you know, Secretary Noem oversees ICE and CBP." He further clarified his position, stating, "I'll do what I've been doing... I'll advise and give strategic guidance. You know, I'm the Border Czar, so I got a lot of work to do on the border."
This public display of support appears to contradict information from multiple DHS insiders who have revealed to the Daily Mail that Homan and Noem have been engaged in an intense behind-the-scenes battle for control over immigration enforcement. According to these sources, the department has splintered into two distinct factions: those loyal to Secretary Noem and a bloc of career law enforcement officials aligned with Border Czar Homan.
Controversial Operations and Tragic Consequences
The power struggle has unfolded against the backdrop of highly controversial DHS operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The agency's latest initiative resulted in over 4,000 criminal alien arrests but also led to the tragic deaths of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, at the hands of federal agents.
Following these fatalities, President Trump suggested that deportation plans might require a "softer touch," a comment some interpreted as a subtle criticism of Secretary Noem's approach. The president subsequently deployed Homan to Minneapolis to wind down the operation and restore order in the city.
Widespread Fear and Departmental Division
Multiple reports indicate that a culture of fear has permeated the rank-and-file within Homeland Security over the past year. Secretary Noem, along with her chief advisor and rumored romantic partner Cory Lewandowski, has reportedly been openly firing and demoting officials perceived as insufficiently loyal to her leadership.
Despite facing considerable scrutiny during her first year in office, Noem maintains an expansive portfolio that extends far beyond deportation operations. In addition to overseeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the DHS chief also manages the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Homan's Continued Commitment to Deportation Agenda
During his Fox News appearance, Homan reiterated his commitment to the administration's immigration objectives, stating, "I'll do whatever I can because the President has made a promise to the American people there will be mass deportations, but he's going to prioritize public safety threats first."
In a separate interview on CBS News, Homan staunchly defended immigration agents who wear masks during operations, despite personally disliking the practice. He explained that threats against ICE officers have increased by over 1,500 percent, with actual assaults and threats rising by more than 8,000 percent. "These men and women have to protect themselves," Homan emphasized, while refuting claims that masked agents are unidentifiable by noting that all personnel wear identifying placards.
As the Trump administration continues to face intense criticism over its immigration operations in Minnesota and elsewhere, Homan's public affirmation of Noem's authority represents a significant development in the ongoing narrative of DHS leadership dynamics.
