REPORTS: A ‘Furious’ President Trump Mulls Firing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Floats a Potential Replacement
At least two reports claim that a furious President Trump is strongly considering firing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem following her testimony before the Senate and House Judiciary panels on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. And there may already be a candidate lined up to replace her.
Punchbowl News reported on Thursday that President Trump was so angry with Noem’s performance, particularly in front of the Senate, that he is contacting congressional Republicans regarding whether he should send her packing.
One particular exchange that ticked Trump off was one Noem had with Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) about a DHS campaign funded by American taxpayers.
From Punchbowl News:
President Donald Trump has quietly asked Hill Republicans if he should fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the latest sign of her tenuous standing inside the West Wing, according to multiple Republicans who have spoken with the president.
Trump dialed up some GOP senators after Noem testified in front of the Senate and House Judiciary panels on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Those appearances were marked by extraordinarily bitter exchanges between Noem and Democratic lawmakers, especially over Trump’s harsh immigration crackdown.
Trump was said to be especially upset about Noem’s response when Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) pressed her Tuesday about a government-funded ad campaign that Kennedy said only served to boost her own personal name recognition nationally.
Noem claimed during her exchange with Kennedy that Trump personally approved an ad blitz featuring her in a lead role. This reportedly sent Trump over the wall.
Courtesy of Punchbowl News, here is the exchange:
Kennedy: “The president approved ahead of time you spending $220 million running TV ads across the country in which you are featured prominently?”
Noem: “Yes sir, we went through the legal processes …”
Kennedy: “Did the president know you were gonna do this?”
Noem: “Yes.”
Kennedy: “He did?”
Noem: “Uh-huh, yes.”
As far as who could take over in the event of a firing, National Review reports that Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) is one candidate being floated as a potential replacement.
When asked by National Review about potentially becoming the next DHS Secretary, Mullin provided the following statement:
“I haven’t talked to him about the hearing at all. I can’t help you there.”
Punchbowl News notes that several Senate Republicans are doubtful they can find 51 votes, especially given that every Democrat, aside from maybe John Fetterman, will probably vote no. Moreover, there are enough RINOs like Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul who could prove problematic.
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