Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are calling for further scrutiny of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after President Donald Trump announced her removal from the position Thursday following two days of contentious testimony before Congress.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Noem would be replaced by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said Friday she supports Trump’s decision and is open to a congressional investigation into Noem’s conduct while leading the Department of Homeland Security.
“I trust President Trump and his judgment here,” Mace said during an appearance on Newsmax.
Mace also raised questions about the status of Corey Lewandowski, who had been serving as an advisor to Noem.
Lewandowski was considered a “special government employee” advising Noem. According to Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich, “Noem had sought to appoint Lewandowski as her chief of staff, but the president blocked that decision amid these rumors of an [extra-marital] affair.”
Mace also criticized Noem over spending at the department, citing questions raised by Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.).
“The second thing is, I want to thank, and I’m very grateful, to Republican Senator Kennedy. I had no idea how much money — hundreds of millions of dollars — that Kristi Noem had wasted on her personal PR for all those TV ads that are running across the country that have nothing to do with deporting illegal aliens,” Mace said.
“And so, I’m looking forward to the new leadership. I’m looking forward to President Trump being even more effective with better leaders within DHS. I think this was the right call,” she added.
When asked by Newsmax host Emma Rechenberg whether she would pursue an investigation, Mace said she believes further action may be necessary.
“Do you plan on investigating?” Rechenberg asked. “We’re talking about over $200 million, the whole blanket thing. Do you think there should be an investigation launched into Kristi Noem?”
“I do, and now that I have more of this information, you know, I think that we need to go back to a potential subpoena for her through the Oversight Committee,” Mace said.
She added that Republicans should hold members of their own party accountable.
“I don’t think [Noem] walks away from this and she shouldn’t, because as Republicans, we need to hold our own accountable because President Trump is trying to reinstill trust in our institutions, in Congress, in the White House,” Mace said.
Democratic officials are also calling for accountability following Noem’s departure.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Noem should still face consequences, telling her directly, “I guarantee you, you will still be held accountable.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) likewise said further action could follow. Walz has previously criticized Noem and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement operations carried out in Minnesota earlier this year, during which federal agents shot and killed two Americans in Minneapolis.
Speaking with MS NOW host Jen Psaki on Thursday, Walz said, “We’re not looking for retribution; we’re looking for justice and we’re looking to make sure that no one’s above the law.”
“I would just say at this time that former Secretary Noem should probably get used to spending more time in Minnesota because I have a pretty good feeling in the future she may be doing that because we have got to get accountability,” Walz said.
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