President Donald Trump expressed support for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Friday, amidst nationwide protests regarding immigration enforcement. The President commended Secretary Noem's leadership, suggesting that the criticism levied against her is gender-based.
In a statement on Truth Social, President Trump praised Noem's performance, describing her efforts in overseeing border security and immigration enforcement as exceptional. He accused "Radical Left Lunatics" of unfairly targeting Noem, despite her achievements in addressing what he referred to as the "disaster" at the border, a situation he claims to have inherited.
President Trump credited Secretary Noem with the expulsion or pursuit of violent criminals who had entered the country under the previous administration. He also associated a purported decline in the national murder rate, said to be at its lowest in 125 years, with stringent immigration enforcement and his administration's focus on law and order.
Reiterating his election mandate, President Trump highlighted his commitment to strong borders and law enforcement, reminding critics that "ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES."
Secretary Noem, who previously served as the Governor of South Dakota and a congresswoman, has been a prominent figure in the Trump administration's immigration policy, frequently participating in enforcement-related events and media appearances.
However, her public image has been a point of contention, with critics mockingly referring to her as "ICE Barbie." This nickname stems from her appearances in agency attire and photographs with deported individuals, which have circulated widely.
The President's defense of Noem comes in the wake of a cabinet meeting where, despite her attendance, she was notably not asked to speak. This incident has sparked speculation regarding internal discord within the administration. Meanwhile, at that same meeting, Small Business Administration Secretary Kelly Loeffler was given the opportunity to address the cabinet, highlighting Noem's exclusion.
Amidst the ongoing controversy, President Trump dispatched White House border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis in response to the shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents, a situation linked to the broader unrest over immigration enforcement. President Trump has temporarily placed Homan in charge of immigration operations in the city, reporting directly to him.
In another move, senior enforcement official Greg Bovino was reassigned back to his previous post in El Centro, California, after serving in a broader enforcement role.
The criticism of Secretary Noem extends within the Republican Party as well, with outgoing Senator Thom Tillis openly criticizing her management approach. He has accused Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller of being overly deferential, using a Harry Potter reference to underscore his point.
Despite the backlash, Secretary Noem has stood firm, defending her actions during a Fox News interview. She dismissed the calls for her resignation as ideologically driven and stated, "These radicals are attacking me, but I’m just doing my job." The administration continues its efforts on mass deportation.
