You’ve probably seen the headlines. Since taking over the Department of Homeland Security in January 2025, Kristi Noem has basically been the lightning rod of the federal government. Some folks call her a "border czar" on steroids; others think she’s dismantling the department from the inside out. Honestly, it’s hard to find a middle ground when the news is this polarized.
But if you strip away the shouting on cable news, what’s actually going on inside the DHS?
The 2025 Shakeup: A Fast Start
Let’s be real—Kristi Noem didn’t waste any time. She was confirmed by the Senate in a 59-34 vote on January 25, 2025, and within hours, she was already swinging the axe. She resigned as South Dakota’s governor the same day. Most cabinet secretaries take a few months to find the coffee machine, but Noem immediately started reassigning top immigration officials. She wasn't happy with the pace of arrests.
By March, she was already looking for "leakers" inside the agency. She even pledged to use lie detector tests on employees. That’s a bold move for someone managing over 260,000 people. You can imagine the morale in the breakrooms.
Mass Removals and "Operation Midway Blitz"
The core of Noem’s mission as Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has been the "mass removal" campaign. It’s not just a talking point. DHS data shows a massive spike in arrests.
- Operation Midway Blitz: A coordinated effort that led to over 4,500 arrests in its first wave.
- Worst of the Worst: DHS launched a literal public website (wow.dhs.gov) where you can search for criminal illegal aliens who have been arrested.
- The Numbers: In 2025 alone, the department claimed to have removed over 622,000 people.
Critics argue these numbers are inflated or that they include people with minor infractions, but Noem has been firm. She says the focus is on "murderers, rapists, and gang members." She even partnered with states like Florida and Nebraska to create new detention spaces with catchy (and slightly controversial) names like "Alligator Alcatraz" and "Cornhusker Clink."
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Why the Border Numbers Dropped
If you look at the stats from the southwest border, the change is staggering. We’re talking about a 93% decrease in encounters since early 2025. In March 2025, border encounters hit a record low of just under 7,200 for the whole month.
How? Well, it’s a mix of things.
The administration implemented a "Big Beautiful Bill Act" (their words, not mine) to finish the border wall. They also deployed over 130,000 feet of temporary barriers with the help of the "Department of War"—which is what they’re calling the renamed Department of Defense now. Plus, Noem scrapped the old "CBP One" app and replaced it with a "Home" app that encourages people to self-deport.
Basically, the "welcome mat" was replaced with a "do not enter" sign and a very large fence.
The FEMA Controversy and Political Bias
This is where things get really messy. In late 2025, Noem accused the previous administration of withholding aid from Trump supporters during disasters like Hurricane Ida. She claimed FEMA staff were told to "skip houses" with pro-Trump signs.
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She didn't just complain; she refered the whole thing to the DOJ and ordered a total overhaul of FEMA training.
But there's a flip side.
Critics say Noem is the one politicizing the agency. They point to her requirement that she personally approve every DHS contract over $100,000. That’s a lot of paperwork. Some say it’s paralyzed disaster response because everything is stuck on her desk waiting for a signature. At one point, she even publicly said, "We’re going to eliminate FEMA," suggesting states should handle their own emergencies. That's a huge shift in how America handles natural disasters.
The Renee Nicole Good Incident
The most recent firestorm involves the shooting of a 37-year-old woman named Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. An ICE officer fatally shot her in early 2026.
Noem immediately called it an "act of domestic terrorism."
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She claimed Good "weaponized her vehicle" and tried to run over an officer. But Minnesota officials, including Attorney General Keith Ellison, have seen the video. They say she was just trying to drive away. This has led to a massive backlash, with over 70 House Democrats introducing articles of impeachment against Noem for "obstruction of Congress" and "violation of public trust."
What Most People Get Wrong
People tend to think of the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem only in terms of the border. But she’s also been gutting the "softer" parts of the agency.
- CISA Cuts: She’s been trying to cut the staff at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency by a third.
- TSA Unions: On January 11, 2026, she officially ended collective bargaining for TSA workers. No more unions for airport screeners. She says it's about "security focus," but the workers are, understandably, pretty upset.
- Havana Syndrome: Now there’s a weird investigation into HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) buying a "portable device" that might be linked to Havana Syndrome. It’s all very "X-Files."
Actionable Insights for 2026
If you’re trying to navigate the "Noem Era" of homeland security, here’s what you actually need to know:
- Air Travel: If you haven’t got your REAL ID yet, do it. Noem is a stickler for the May 2025 deadline. Also, expect TSA lines to be... unpredictable given the labor shifts.
- Immigration: The "voluntary self-deportation" programs are the current priority. If you’re a business owner, be aware that 287(g) partnerships (local police doing federal immigration work) have increased by over 800%.
- Cybersecurity: With CISA being downsized, private companies are being told to beef up their own defenses. Don’t rely on the feds to catch every hack.
Whether you think she’s a hero or a villain, there’s no denying that the Department of Homeland Security looks completely different today than it did two years ago. It’s leaner, more aggressive, and much more aligned with a specific political vision.
The impeachment effort in the House is the next big hurdle. If that moves forward, things in D.C. are going to get even louder. For now, Noem remains in the driver's seat, and she doesn't seem to be hitting the brakes.