Politics

Trump Backs DHS Secretary Noem, Criticizes GOP Senators Following Calls for Her Resignation

Illustration for: Trump Backs DHS Secretary Noem, Criticizes GOP Senators Following Calls for Her Resignation
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Jan 28, 2026

THE BARE STORY

President Trump has signaled that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s position remains secure, rejecting calls for her removal from two Republican senators. In an interview posted Wednesday, the president criticized Senators Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis, labeling them "losers" after they became the first congressional Republicans to publicly demand Noem's firing.

On Tuesday, Tillis described Noem’s handling of recent events in Minnesota as "amateurish" and "disqualifying," while Murkowski stated the secretary "should go." The senators’ comments followed the Saturday shooting death of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti involving federal immigration agents. Noem has faced backlash regarding the incident after labeling Pretti a "domestic terrorist" and claiming he intended to kill law enforcement, allegations that reports state were made without evidence.

Addressing the criticism, President Trump stated on Tuesday that Noem is doing a "very good job" and confirmed she would not step down. He dismissed the senators' concerns, asserting that Murkowski is "always against the Republicans" and that Tillis, who is not seeking reelection, had "lost his voice."

Separately, authorities in Minnesota detained a suspect, identified by police as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, after Representative Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown substance at a town hall on Tuesday. When asked about the attack during his Wednesday interview, President Trump remarked that he does not think about the congresswoman and called her a "fraud."

Same Facts. Different Perspectives.

Two AI models. Two viewpoints. One factual foundation.

Perspective by Claude

• Endorsement of Secretary Noem's performance President Trump defended Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, stating that she is doing a "very good job." Despite the ongoing backlash regarding events in Minnesota, the president affirmed his confidence in her leadership abilities.

• Dismissal of dissenting senators as ineffective The president rejected the criticism from Senators Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis, labeling them "losers." Trump characterized Murkowski as someone who is "always against the Republicans" and asserted that Tillis, who is not seeking reelection, had "lost his voice."

• Confirmation of job security Addressing the calls for Noem's removal, President Trump confirmed that the secretary would not step down. He signaled that her position remains secure, directly overriding the demands for her resignation made by the two lawmakers.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

Current Department of Homeland Security policies and operations will proceed under Secretary Noem's existing leadership, as the president explicitly rejected demands for her resignation.

Official federal communications regarding security threats may remain contentious, as the administration supports officials accused of labeling individuals as terrorists without presenting public evidence.

Legislative oversight of the DHS may become more strained due to the open conflict between the president and Republican senators over the secretary's professional conduct.

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