Kristi Noem faced intense backlash after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis immigration enforcement operation’s target. Despite efforts by her adviser Corey Lewandowski to defend her, President Trump considered removing her due to controversy over the incident. However, she received support from some Republican leaders, including former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
As Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem has sought to boost her personal profile through high-profile immigration crackdowns and confrontational operations. Her approach has been criticized by long-time officials who argued it would discredit the department’s mission. Despite this, she claimed that her strategy would lead to more arrests and self-deportations.
Noem has made headlines with her flashy immigration actions, including donning flak jackets during ICE raids, posing with large guns, and recording messages urging immigrants to leave on their own. Her focus on style has also been noted, often incorporating TV-ready hair and makeup into her appearances.
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Source: https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/chaos-kristi-noem-homeland-security-f095ac95