All posts tagged "kristi noem"

'Rumor mill is swirling' as MAGA women reportedly 'on edge' over who Trump will cut next

MAGA women in the Trump cabinet were reportedly "on edge" Friday after President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Bondi's ousting followed the removal and demotion of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as questions arise over who might get the axe next, according to The Swamp, the Daily Beast's Substack.

"Pam Bondi’s ouster has sparked a mild panic across Washington as officials and aides wonder: Who’s next? And will it be another woman?" The Swamp reported. "While Bondi’s sacking was somewhat inevitable after her botched handling of the Epstein files and her failure to successfully prosecute Trump’s enemies, the fact it comes merely weeks after Kristi Noem was replaced by Markwayne Mullin hasn’t gone unnoticed. Now, the rumor mill is swirling over Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer."

It's unclear whether Trump intends to cut Gabbard or Chavez-DeRemer — but both members of the administration have come under scrutiny over different concerns.

"Gabbard has been at odds with Trump over Iran, while Trump is reportedly unhappy with Chavez-DeRemer’s performance," according to The Swamp.

Those weren't the only Trump administration officials in hot water.

"But there have also been other women in Trump’s orbit who haven’t fared well — just ask Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who was forced to give up a plum post as UN ambassador so Trump could keep his razor thin GOP House majority," The Swamp reported. "Or MAGA loyalist Kari Lake, who wanted a senior role in Trump’s cabinet and ended up with the headache of trying to overhaul The Voice Of America. Even Education Secretary Linda McMahon has effectively been hobbled given the dismantling of her department. Coincidence or trend?"

Trump's Cabinet shake-up clock ticking as Republican Senate majority hangs in balance

President Donald Trump has limited time to change his cabinet as the midterm elections threaten to dismantle Republican control of Congress.

CNN on-air political commentator Xochitl Hinojosa noted that after the ousting of Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the president could shake up his administration to address major concerns ahead of November.

"If Trump wants to make changes to his cabinet, he needs to do it now given the uncertainty that Republicans would hold the Senate next month," Hinojosa wrote during a live broadcast on CNN.

Republicans have grown increasingly concerned that Trump's polarizing rhetoric and controversial policies could damage the party's chances in the 2026 midterm elections. Party strategists worry that Trump's unpopularity with independent and suburban voters, combined with his focus on retribution against political enemies, may energize Democratic voters and cost Republicans control of Congress.

Kristi Noem's husband breaks silence on leaked fetish photos in cryptic response

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's husband, Bryon Noem, revealed he plans to speak about the leaked photos of his alleged fetish for cross-dressing amid questions over whether he compromised national security, according to reports on Wednesday.

An investigation from The Daily Mail on Tuesday uncovered "hundreds" of messages between Bryon Noem and three women in the fetish scene. Photos obtained by the Mail showed him dressed as a woman with fake breasts. He allegedly sent a secret group of online acquaintances at least $25,000 via Paypal and Cash App.

The New York Times contacted Bryon Noem via text message multiple times to request an interview.

"I will at some point. Today is not the day. I appreciate your heart," Bryon Noem told The Times.

Kristi Noem was reportedly "devastated" to learn that her husband had an alleged fetish for cross-dressing.

Kristi Noem has allegedly had a years-long affair with her adviser, Corey Lewandowski, while married.

Byron Noem has not denied the allegations of cross-dressing or sharing explicit messages in a conversation with The Mail. However, he did deny sharing "indiscreet comments about his wife" that could have endangered national security by exposing her to blackmail threats.

"I deny the second part of that," he said.

'Wow': Trump stunned as Noem family confirms national security scandal

President Donald Trump was reportedly shocked after a scandal broke out involving former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's husband, Bryon Noem, who has had an alleged fetish for cross-dressing and could have compromised national security, the president told The Daily Mail on Tuesday.

The outlet called Trump to ask for his reaction to the news after The Daily Mail's investigation uncovered "hundreds" of messages between Bryon Noem and three women in the fetish scene. Photos obtained by the Mail showed him dressed as a woman with fake breasts. He allegedly sent a secret group of online acquaintances at least $25,000 via Paypal and Cash App.

"They confirmed it? Wow, well, I feel badly for the family if that's the case, that's too bad," Trump told The Daily Mail.

"I haven't seen anything. I don't know anything about it. That's too bad, but I just know nothing about it," Trump said.

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was reportedly "devastated" to learn that her husband had an alleged fetish for cross-dressing.

A spokesperson responded to the New York Post after the Daily Mail reported that the former Trump official's husband was obsessed with a "bimbofication" fetish scene.

"Ms. Noem is devastated. The family was blindsided by this, and they ask for privacy and prayers at the time," her representative told the Post.

Kristi Noem has allegedly had a years-long affair with her adviser, Corey Lewandowski, while married.

Bryon Noem has not denied the allegations of cross-dressing or sharing explicit messages in a conversation with The Mail. However, he did deny sharing "indiscreet comments about his wife" that could have endangered national security by exposing her to blackmail threats.

"I deny the second part of that," he said.

DHS staff used spy-blocking bags and sound machines to hide from Kristi Noem: report

The environment inside the Department of Homeland Security under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski, chief adviser and long-rumored lover, was apparently so hostile that staffers had to take extreme measures, according to reports on Monday.

Top ICE staffers apparently tried to block the duo from alleged spying concerns by using sound machines to block recordings because they worried that they were under surveillance, The Daily Beast reported. An experienced employee described the “distrust, abuse, and corruption” within the agency under Noem's leadership as the "most toxic" they have ever seen.

In a Washington Examiner investigation published last week, three people revealed U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioner Rodney Scott was apparently so concerned Noem and Lewandowski were eavesdropping that he carried his phone in a Faraday bag, which is made of aluminum or silver to block electromagnetic signals and shield cell phones from surveillance or interception. Scott has claimed the pair had conducted an "evil" effort to remove him from his role and he was "paranoid" that Noem's chief adviser was "spying on him through his work phone and had bugged his office."

Scott said he thought Lewandowski was "trying to find anything that could persuade Trump to fire Scott, since Noem lacked the authority to do so herself."

That's what led Scott to make an unusual move.

"Rodney had his cell phones in a Faraday bag," an unnamed source said.

"I had never seen that outside of the intel community, where somebody’s putting their phones in a bag so they’re not emanating and can’t be monitored," according to the source. "I went ahead and put my phone in the bag, and that’s when we had the conversation."

Investigation of Noem's FEMA hits snag over hunt for missing million dollar contract

An ongoing investigation into the Department of Homeland Security has hit a snag as a crucial contract has gone missing.

A Federal Emergency Management Agency appointment made by "chief of staff" Corey Lewandowski under DHS head Kristi Noem has sparked a wider search. It was revealed in a report that outsider Kara Voorhies had been allegedly paid $19,000 a week for her role within the department. Documentation of this is yet to surface, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The appointment of Voorhies has left investigators concerned, with an internal watchdog at the DHS flagging the appointment as potentially a matter for criminal prosecution. Tarini Parti, Josh Dawsey, and Michelle Hackman wrote, "It isn’t clear exactly what Voorhies was hired to do, but contractors like her aren’t typically involved in awarding contracts and making spending decisions on behalf of federal agencies, department officials say.

"Her role in those decisions raised alarm bells for the inspector general as well as for lawmakers. The investigation is in its early stages, and it is unclear if the inspector general will refer the matter for criminal prosecution. The office doesn’t have the authority to bring criminal charges."

The ongoing investigation is set to look into "any potential improprieties in the contracting process" and any evidence of "personal enrichment of top officials", according to the report.

But a probe into Voorhies' contract is proving difficult as the watchdog cannot locate the files. "FEMA officials have been unable to locate her contract and investigators are still seeking it, according to people familiar with the matter," the WSJ reported. "Senior FEMA officials were told that Voorhies was getting paid as much as $19,000 a week, some of the people said, which would amount to roughly $1 million a year.

"It is unclear when Voorhies, who officials say was brought into the department by Lewandowski, started at FEMA. She was at the department for most of Noem’s tenure and left this month.

"People close to Lewandowski, who remains on contract as a special government employee, said that he has told them he expects the president would pardon him in the event of a criminal case stemming from the inspector general’s probe." Adam Trigg, a representative for Lewandowski, said his client denies any wrongdoing.

Kristi Noem accused of lying to Congress about ‘top secret’ airport security flaws

Ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was accused of lying to Congress after a watchdog group had warned about "serious vulnerabilities" at airport security checkpoints in the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security's internal watchdog report revealed several concerns about the TSA's screenings at airport security lines, the new policy allowing passengers to keep their shoes on, according to CBS News. Five months after the memo, the agency still hadn't responded to the findings.

Noem, during a hearing with congressional leaders, told lawmakers that “all of the recommendations” outlined by the inspector general were addressed.

But that wasn't the case. And according to a March 4 memo from Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, he wrote that his office had no written or oral evidence that suggest those security issues were addressed, The Daily Beast reported.

A key finding in the report was designated as "top secret," limiting access to the information to only 13 people in the government. Cuffari told Noem that only "three Members of Congress; two employees in OIG; seven employees in the [DHS]; and one employee in the Executive Office of the President" had access to this information.

Cuffari was clear that Noem had not responded to the security concerns.

"I am writing to inform you that OIG has not received such information — written or oral — from DHS or TSA, despite our requests to the Secretary and you for that information," Cuffari wrote in his March 4 memo, which was addressed to senior TSA official Ha Nguyen McNeill. "Please promptly provide an original copy of the documents describing any actions the Department and/or TSA took on each of the recommendations and any supporting evidence."

MAGA loses it as GOP gov appoints senator who donated to Trump foe: 'This should end him!'

MAGA fans were outraged after the controversial replacement for Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) was announced on Tuesday.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed oil and gas executive Alan Armstrong, who had formerly made a $5,800 donation to one of President Donald Trump's enemies, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL). Kinzinger had voted to impeach Trump, and the donation came around that time.

Stitt announced the appointment in a post on X, just hours after Mullin was formally confirmed late Monday as the new Homeland Security Secretary, replacing the outgoing embattled Trump administration leader Kristi Noem. Noem was fired by President Donald Trump, who appointed Mullin and moved Noem into another role.

"Alan is a proud third-generation Oklahoman, staunch conservative, respected business leader, and a devoted family man with an inspiring American Dream story," Stitt said.

"He is entering the U.S. Senate at a critical time for advancing reforms to secure America’s energy future. I have no doubt that his perspective will be influential in moving the needle on permitting reform to unlock American competitiveness and energy affordability for generations to come," Stitt added.

MAGA followers on social media were furious with the move, with several people calling Stitt a "RINO," a biting acronym for Republican in name only.

"Another RINO. lock and step. These people hate MAGA," Justin Baugher, who frequently shares MAGA-related content on his social media, wrote on X.

"Armstrong DONATED to Adam Kinzinger AFTER he voted to impeach President Trump and joined the J6 witch hunt committee. You couldn’t be more anti-Trump if you tried," Jessica, a paralegal and nutritionist who self-describes as MAGA and MAHA, wrote on X.

"Good this Should END @GovStitt any political ambitions he ever had!!! We are SICK of RINOS!!!" User janconcern, who self-identifies as MAGA, wrote on X.

"Wow. Just like he made us proud when he supported Biden. True RINO’s stick together," Sherre Ann, who self-describes as an "America First Patriot," wrote on X.

GOP senator blows gaping hole into Markwayne Mullin's curious 'classified' story

Sen. Markwayne Mullin was under fire on Wednesday following questions over his travel for a "classified" reason when more information surfaced about what really occurred.

Mullin, who was tapped by President Donald Trump to replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, refused to explain the "classified work" that he had claimed to have done outside the United States and did not provide lawmakers with any further details.

But several people were quick to point out online what Mullin really had done, including fellow Republican Sen. James Lankford from Mullin's home state of Oklahoma, after the nominee had claimed the House had classified the trip, which it does not have the power to do.

Lankford pointed out that Mullin might have actually signed a non-disclosure agreement.

"Sen. LANKFORD says the trip is being overblown," Punchbowl News reporter Laura Weiss wrote on X. "'This is a mountain out of a molehill issue.' LANKFORD says MULLIN is under a non-disclosure agreement related to the trip - rather than that it’s classified, which is how MULLIN described it. He adds it related to a whistleblower."

Kyle Cheney, senior legal affairs reporter for Politico, pointed out the exchange and what it revealed.

"Mullin claimed that the House sent him on a classified trip that only four people knew about," Cheney wrote on X. "When Paul and Peters pressed him on which agency classified it, it led to this exchange:

MULLIN: It wasn’t an agency. It was done here, well, in the House at the time.
PETERS: The House classified it?
MULLIN: I’m assuming.
Except the House doesn't have that power. All classification authority flows from the president/executive."

Noem's alleged lover hit with new probe as Dems try to root out 'shadow chief of staff'

A new investigation launched Wednesday demanded that the Department of Homeland Security retain all records relating to Corey Lewandowski, who has long been rumored to be having an affair with outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and served as her top aide.

Lewandowski was named directly in a letter from ranking Democrats in the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, The Daily Beast reported.

“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Committee on Homeland Security are investigating serious allegations of high-level corruption, self-dealing, and mismanagement under the leadership of former Secretary Kristi Noem," according to the letter. "At the heart of these allegations sits Mr. Corey Lewandowski, who has used his close access to DHS leadership to wield outsized and undue influence over the Department. We request the DHS Office of Inspector General immediately initiate an investigation into Mr. Lewandowski’s role at DHS."

Lewandowski's role was characterized as a special government employee, but insiders have claimed that he wielded more power and could have been acting as a "shadow chief of staff" for Noem. Lewandowski, who previously advised President Donald Trump, has been accused of attending high-level DHS briefings, setting up and reviewing government contracts, and making personnel decisions — all while pursuing his own business interests in the private sector.

The committee requested that the Office of Inspector General release an update on the probe request by April 1.