President Donald Trump was reportedly asking senators if he should fire embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following her testimony before Congress this week.
Multiple sources told Punchbowl News that Trump has been making phone calls to Senate Republicans to ask “whether he should fire” Noem. House Speaker Mike Johnson was said to have also speculated about replacing the DHS secretary.
“Trump was said to be especially upset about Noem’s response when Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) pressed her Tuesday about a government-funded ad campaign that Kennedy said only served to boost her own personal name recognition nationally,” according to Punchbowl. “The $220 million contract for the ad campaign was awarded to a firm run by the husband of former DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. The ads were filmed in October at Mount Rushmore.”
Under questioning from Kennedy, Noem had claimed that Trump was aware of plans for the PR campaign.
“They were effective in your name recognition. To me, it puts the president in a terribly awkward spot,” Kennedy replied.
“Privately, Republicans are divided about whether this is the right moment for Trump to fire Noem,” the report noted. “First, they’re worried about whether Senate GOP leaders could find 51 votes for a replacement in the face of universal Democratic opposition, combined with vulnerable Republicans who may want to flash some independence. Trump’s harsh immigration crackdown and ICE’s operations would be at the center of those confirmation hearings.”
Other Republicans worried that replacing Noem would embolden Democrats, according to the report.
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