Predictable ending at DHS for Kristi Noem

Former South Dakota governor Kristi Noem’s tumultuous run as the head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) came to an abrupt—albeit predictable—ending last Thursday when she was removed by President Donald Trump. Removed. Fired. Ousted. Replaced. We’ve seen all those words used. Argue semantics all you want. Whatever makes you feel best.
Over the past few months Noem had been the subject of more and more criticism and scrutiny, including from many in her own party. The reasons were many, from her spending of the influx of money given to DHS as it geared up for its massive deportation program to the killings of a pair of Immigration and Customs Enforcement protestors  in Minneapolis. Throw in the relentless questions about the depth of her relationship with her confidant Corey Lewandowski, and this writing was on the wall weeks, if not months, ago.
Noem learned what many Donald Trump loyalists learned over the years. Fealty to him is frequently a one-way street. She isn’t the first cabinet member Trump has ushered out the door during his two terms as president (not even close), and it most certainly won’t be the last. If the president thinks you are making him look bad (or aren’t in lock-step with him) you are gone. Noem was certainly in lock-step with him but, toward the end of her tenure as secretary of DHS she was certainly making him look bad.
If you look at the quotes coming out of last week’s Senate Judiciary Hearing with Noem last week, you could see it was the beginning of the end.
“Quality matters, not quantity, quality, and what we’ve seen is a disaster under your leadership,”  Sen. Thom Tillis said at the hearing. Tillis is a Republican.
“It troubles me, quarter-fifth to a quarter of a billion dollars in taxpayer money when we’re scratching for every penny and we’re fighting over rescission packages, I just can’t agree with madam secretary,” Sen. John Kennedy said regarding a DHS ad campaign that showcased Noem prominently. Kennedy is also a Republican.
Noem said President Trump knew about the planned ad  campaign. Trump said later he knew nothing about it. 
“Time will tell,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham when asked if he has confidence in Noem and if he would vote to confirm her again if he had the chance. Graham? You guessed it. Republican.
It was a meteoric rise for Noem from state legislator from small-town South Dakota to the secretary of DHS. Being in charge of that department—particulary under President Trump—is no small task. It was likely only a matter of time before she befell the same fate as many in that position before her. It was a turnstile his first term.
What’s next for Noem? She has been named “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas – Western Hemisphere,” a new security initiative. Whatever that means. Some have tried to spin it as a promotion. Going from the head of DHS with 260,000 employees to an entity that didn’t exist until recently likely is not a promotion.
We do thank Noem for her service in DHS. She was put in a tough position with a predictable ending.