President Donald Trump has conspicuously snubbed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during his first cabinet meeting of 2026, deviating from his usual practice of lengthy sessions and leaving the embattled official silent and unacknowledged throughout the 90-minute gathering.
A Stark Departure from Protocol
In a significant break from tradition, Trump concluded the cabinet meeting without taking questions from reporters or calling on Secretary Noem to speak. The Secretary, seated at the far end of the table, remained entirely silent during the session, marking a stark contrast to Trump's previous nine cabinet meetings where officials typically received recognition.
Shortened Format and Selective Attention
The President called on only a select group of advisers during the meeting, stating he preferred this new, shorter format over his customary hours-long cabinet discussions. This procedural shift occurred as Noem faced mounting pressure over her controversial response to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents.
Mounting Scrutiny Over Border Incident
The snub follows intense scrutiny of Noem's handling of the Minneapolis killings, where she claimed the shooting resulted from "a situation where an individual arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and kill law enforcement." This statement proved controversial as Pretti never drew his weapon, which he had a permit to carry legally.
Political Pressure and Trump's Response
Despite calls from Democrats and some Republicans for Noem's resignation or dismissal over her handling of Pretti's killing, President Trump has thus far brushed off demands to fire his Homeland Security Secretary. The cabinet meeting snub represents the most visible sign of tension within the administration regarding Noem's position and performance.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges within the Department of Homeland Security and raises questions about Noem's future in the Trump administration as scrutiny over border security policies and agent conduct continues to intensify.
