DHS Staff 'Crying Out of Happiness' as Trump Fires Noem
Scenes of jubilation erupted at the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday as staffers learned their boss, Kristi Noem, had been fired by President Donald Trump. According to reports, some employees were "crying out of happiness" at the news, with many expressing relief after months of frustration under her leadership.
Trump Axes Noem After Months of White House Frustration
Noem became the first major casualty of Trump's Cabinet in his second term when the president announced her dismissal via a Truth Social post. The move followed months of growing White House frustration with the embattled DHS chief, whose tenure had been marked by controversy and policy failures.
Trump has tapped Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, a 48-year-old former MMA fighter and staunch MAGA ally, to replace Noem. The president announced that Noem will be named "Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas" when she leaves her current position at the end of the month.
Champagne Popping and Tears of Joy
Those who worked directly under Noem and her top adviser Corey Lewandowski were reportedly popping champagne bottles in celebration. "People in the office are actually crying out of happiness," one person told the Washington Examiner, capturing the emotional response to Noem's departure.
At the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which falls under DHS, staffers expressed particular relief. Noem's policies during her year-long tenure had significantly slowed disaster relief responses, according to NOTUS reports, hampering the agency's critical mission.
'Anyone Better Than That Dog Murderer'
The bar appeared to be set remarkably low for Noem's replacement among FEMA staffers. "Anyone is better than that dog murderer," said one longtime staffer, referring to the infamous anecdote in Noem's memoir where she described shooting her "untrainable" 14-month-old puppy.
Another staffer expressed hope that the leadership change would restore functionality: "I'm just relieved. I hope this allows us to actually function again. Mullin is a Trumper and MAGA to the core but I don't see him being as awful as her."
White House Allies and Democrats Join Celebration
The relief extended beyond DHS to White House allies and Democratic politicians. "Hallelujah," a source close to the White House told Semafor, reflecting the widespread sentiment among Trump administration insiders.
Democratic governors in states affected by Noem's aggressive anti-immigration operations were particularly vocal in their celebrations:
- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated that Noem "has done a stunning amount of damage" in his state and it was "good she's gone."
- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, whose state also experienced aggressive federal anti-immigration actions, quipped: "Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Kristi Noem."
- California Governor Gavin Newsom's press team cheered the firing with a "BYE GIRL!" post on X, followed by a "Justice for Cricket" reference to the dog Noem killed.
Congressional Hearings Prove Final Straw
Trump had stood by Noem in January despite intense scrutiny over her response to the killings of American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. However, her "disastrous" performances at House and Senate hearings this week appeared to be the final straw.
The president was reportedly "incensed" that Noem claimed during testimony that he signed off on a $220 million Homeland Security ad campaign heavily featuring her. Trump denied any knowledge of the campaign in an interview shortly before announcing her departure.
Republican Criticism and Dog Controversy Resurface
Republican Senator Thom Tillis delivered particularly scathing criticism during Senate oversight hearings, grilling Noem with a long list of grievances and bringing up the dog-killing incident. "You decided to kill that dog because you had not invested the appropriate time in training. And then you have the audacity to go into a book and say it's a leadership lesson about tough choices?" he challenged.
Tillis was among Republicans celebrating Noem's exit and welcoming Mullin's nomination, noting with apparent relief: "Another big positive: he likes dogs."
Legacy of Controversy and Policy Failures
Noem's tenure was marked by multiple controversies beyond the dog-killing scandal:
- Aggressive anti-immigration operations that drew criticism from Democratic governors
- Slow disaster response policies at FEMA that hampered relief efforts
- Refusal to apologize for calling American citizens killed in Minneapolis "domestic terrorists"
- Alleged mismanagement of DHS resources and personnel
As DHS staff celebrate what many see as a new beginning, the department now faces the challenge of rebuilding under new leadership while addressing the policy failures and morale issues that characterized Noem's controversial year in charge.
