Kristi Noem’s departure from Homeland Security drew sighs of relief from many inside the department, who are now sharing stories of chaos and mismanagement while she was at the helm.
But there’s also a growing worry over job security, as employees wonder just how broad a housecleaning new Secretary Markwayne Mullin will try.
Those in the top ranks of the department report feeling frozen in place, unsure whether they’ll be seen as one of Ms. Noem’s people, which could make them targets.
“The vibe I’m getting is that any relief over the regime change is overshadowed by everyone’s big [question] about whether or not they keep their jobs,” one source told “Seen, Heard & Whispered.” “That’s to be expected with a secretarial change.”
Mr. Trump booted Ms. Noem early last month, days after she struggled to defend the president and his agenda in hearings on Capitol Hill.
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The president was particularly miffed that Ms. Noem said he had foreknowledge of her plan to spend more than $200 million in taxpayer money on ads encouraging illegal immigrants to self-deport — and putting herself front and center in the ads. Contracts for the ads also reportedly went to those with ties to her operation.
Congressional Democrats have suggested Ms. Noem lied in her testimony to Congress about the contracts. They referred the matter to the Justice Department for a perjury investigation.
