Newsom Calls for Redirection of Noem's $220M Ad Campaign Funds to Wildfire Recovery
California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a forceful demand that the Department of Homeland Security redirect the remaining funds from a controversial $220 million advertising campaign featuring former Secretary Kristi Noem toward assisting victims of last year's devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The demand comes as Noem prepares to leave her position at the end of March following her dismissal by President Donald Trump earlier this week.
Controversial Campaign and Mounting Scrutiny
Noem faced mounting criticism during her tenure as Homeland Security Secretary for multiple controversial actions, including military-style immigration operations across several states, the purchase of luxury jets for department staff, significant reductions in FEMA personnel, and persistent rumors of an affair with adviser Corey Lewandowski. Both parties have denied the affair allegations, though Noem declined to directly address questions about them during a recent House Judiciary Committee hearing.
The advertising campaign that has drawn Newsom's ire featured Noem on horseback in front of Mount Rushmore wearing cowboy gear, which critics labeled a "vanity" project. During her committee appearance, Noem insisted the campaign had been launched with President Trump's approval, a claim the president has since denied.
Newsom's Scorched-Earth Statement
In a statement released Friday that adopted Trump's own bombastic social media style, Newsom directly targeted both the advertising funds and what he characterized as Noem's failure to deliver critical FEMA funding. "While Kristi Noem poured $220 million of taxpayer money into a political ad campaign featuring herself on horseback, more than $500 million in FEMA funding for LA fire recovery sat stalled on her desk," the Democratic governor wrote.
Newsom continued with a direct appeal: "Families in Los Angeles shouldn't have to wait while she and Donald Trump play politics. Release the funding now and redirect those dollars to help communities rebuild."
Contract Approval Delays and Community Impact
The governor attributed the funding delays to a policy implemented under Noem requiring her personal sign-off on agency contracts and grants valued above $100,000. According to Newsom, this has created significant bottlenecks in recovery efforts.
"In places like the San Gabriel foothills and the hills above Pasadena and Altadena, communities still have damaged park facilities, fenced-off trailheads, and patched-up roadways that wash out in heavy rain because permanent work cannot move at full speed without the promised federal reimbursement," Newsom's statement detailed. "Schools still wait for dollars to rebuild facilities and classrooms that burned or were heavily damaged."
Senate Report and Department Response
A report released this week by Senate Democrats indicated that under Noem's leadership, FEMA had more than 1,000 contracts, grants, and awards delayed. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan stated in an accompanying release: "Secretary Noem's policy of personally approving certain contracts is putting the safety of communities in need at risk."
A DHS spokesperson responded to The Hill regarding the Democrats' claims, stating: "Contrary to claims in the forthcoming report, there are no systemic delays. There is no evidence of a three-week average wait for aid decisions. In fact, Secretary Noem's review process was specifically designed to break through bureaucratic red tape and expedite funding requests that had previously languished for years under prior administrations."
Political Context and Wildfire Devastation
Newsom, a regular critic of President Trump and widely rumored 2028 presidential hopeful, has frequently clashed with the administration over wildfire assistance. In June, Trump suggested he might withhold wildfire aid due to his personal dislike for the California governor.
The January wildfires referenced by Newsom, including the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires, resulted in at least 31 fatalities, destroyed approximately 16,000 structures, and caused more than $22 billion in insured damages. The Independent has contacted DHS for comment regarding Newsom's latest statement.
Noem's Legacy and New Role
Noem, who earned derisive nicknames like "Kosplay Kristi" and "ICE Barbie" for regularly donning tactical gear during photo opportunities with various DHS agencies, will serve as head of the department until month's end. President Trump has since appointed her as special envoy to the newly-created "Shield of the Americas" initiative.
