California Governor Posts Mocking Tribute After Noem's Dismissal
California Governor Gavin Newsom has brutally mocked former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with an 'in memoriam' video following her dismissal by President Donald Trump. The liberal governor, who has openly admitted presidential ambitions, used Sarah McLachlan's sentimental song 'I Will Remember You' alongside a montage of Noem's various public appearances.
Controversial Video References Puppy Killing Incident
The video features multiple images of Noem wearing different outfits including a cowboy hat with Western shirt, full combat gear with goggles, a wide-brimmed sun hat with pearl earrings, a Customs and Border Protection baseball hat, and finally nurses' scrubs with a stethoscope. The clip is captioned 'In memoriam. Kristi Noem. 2025-2026' before fading to black with the text: 'It was the worst of times.'
Newsom wrote 'Gone, but not forgotten' alongside the video, which deliberately references Noem's controversial admission in her 2024 book that she shot and killed her own puppy and a family goat to demonstrate her ability to handle difficult situations.
Additional Mockery and Criticism of Replacement
The California governor's social media account also posted a photoshopped image showing Noem at an unemployment office with a sign reading 'MAGA unemployment line' behind her. Newsom further criticized Noem's replacement, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, calling him 'unstable' and questioning his fitness for the Homeland Security role.
'Markwayne Mullin could not remember if we were at war THIS WEEK,' Newsom stated. 'His state has one of the highest crime rates in the country — with a murder rate 40% higher than California’s. This erratic, unstable man is now in charge of HOMELAND SECURITY.'
Background to Noem's Dismissal
President Trump fired Noem and announced Mullin as her replacement on Thursday, marking the first Cabinet-level termination of his second term. The dismissal came after Noem testified under oath to Senator John Kennedy that she had received Trump's approval for a $220 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign designed to boost her national profile.
When questioned by Congress this week, Noem stated the multi-million dollar campaign had been signed off by the President, a claim Trump denied to Reuters, saying 'I never knew anything about it.'
Department Reaction and Political Fallout
Sources within the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed to the Daily Mail that staff were celebrating Noem's departure. 'Everyone is happy, lots of smiles,' one DHS source said. 'Morale had taken a hit. There’s a feeling among a lot of folks here that the department can finally reset and refocus on operations instead of internal turmoil.'
There is also expectation that Noem's top advisor, Corey Lewandowski, will depart following her firing. Both Noem and Lewandowski have denied rumors of an extramarital affair that had circulated during her tenure.
Political Support for Replacement
Trump announced on Truth Social that Mullin would become Homeland Security Secretary effective March 31, 2026, while Noem would become Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, a new White House security initiative. The President praised Mullin's Native American heritage and claimed he 'will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security.'
The appointment received bipartisan support, with Democratic Senator John Fetterman posting on X: 'I'm not sure how many fellow Democrats will vote to support our colleague [Senator Mullin] as the next DHS Secretary, but I am AYE.' Republican Senator Lindsey Graham added: 'President Trump could not have chosen a better candidate... Markwayne is an outstanding choice.'
Congressional Scrutiny and Controversial Campaign
During Senate hearings this week, Noem faced intense questioning about the $220 million advertising campaign, which included an ad showing her wearing a cowboy hat and riding a horse in front of Mount Rushmore. She told lawmakers there was 'a competitive process' to award the contract and that everything was 'done correctly, all done legally.'
Insiders noted that while confrontation was expected from Trump critic Senator Thom Tillis, the harsh questioning from Republican Senator John Kennedy surprised Noem's defenders. 'He just kicked the teeth out of her,' one insider said. 'That came out of nowhere.'
Noem's dismissal represents the most significant personnel change in Trump's second-term administration to date, following his earlier reassignment of Michael Waltz from national security advisor to ambassador to the UN.
