Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sparked immediate controversy when she publicly labelled the fatal shooting of activist Renee Good by an ICE officer as an act of 'domestic terrorism' just hours after the incident in Minneapolis on January 7. Her rapid, unequivocal judgement broke from the standard protocol of awaiting an investigation's findings, sending shockwaves through law enforcement and political circles.
White House Coordination and Internal Backlash
While her remarks drew criticism for prejudging the case, the Daily Mail can reveal that the White House was involved in crafting her response. A source close to Noem confirmed she worked 'very closely' with senior White House officials on the specific messaging that framed the incident as terrorism. This coordination came as a surprise to many, given the apparent breach of investigative protocol.
One former senior DHS official condemned Noem's approach, telling the Daily Mail it displayed a 'profound ignorance' and a 'disturbing disregard' for proper procedure. The comments intensified calls from Democrats for her impeachment, while some Republicans also expressed concern.
A Secretary at War: Turf Battles and Political Theatre
The incident has highlighted a fierce internal power struggle within the Department of Homeland Security. Noem is reportedly locked in a turf war with President Trump's hand-picked border czar, Tom Homan. Their conflict centres on deportation strategy: Homan prefers prioritising dangerous criminal aliens, while Noem advocates for high-profile, mass deportation operations to maximise numbers.
This split reverberates through the agency's 260,000 employees. Critics say Noem's approach, which often features her in law enforcement gear, inflames public backlash against ICE. The departure on Thursday of her key ally, 28-year-old ICE deputy director Madison Sheahan, to run for Congress, is seen as a significant blow to her internal standing.
'Train Wreck' Morale and Oval Office Support
Morale within ICE has suffered, according to insiders. One former senior official claimed 'morale is in the toilet right now,' criticising Noem's strategy as a media-centric effort to 'get clips.' Another insider described the situation as a 'total train wreck,' exacerbated by infighting between advisers like Corey Lewandowski, Stephen Miller, and Tom Homan.
Despite the internal chaos, Noem appears to retain the crucial support of President Trump. Influential advisor Stephen Miller praised her 'exceptional leadership,' and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Trump was '100 percent' satisfied with her handling of the Minneapolis crisis. Her aggressive media defence of the administration, including a combative interview on CNN, has cemented her status in MAGA circles, even as she is vilified on the left as 'Bloody Kristi.'
As the midterm elections approach, the question remains whether Noem's polarising tenure will ultimately be an asset or a liability for the Trump administration, forcing a calculation on the political cost of her aggressive tactics.
