Conservative media personalities are turning their fire on the Trump administration itself as reports swirl that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faces imminent removal amid mounting scandals and operational chaos at DHS.
Story Highlights
- Pro-Trump media figures rage against administration over potential firing of hardline DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
- Internal chaos at DHS blamed on Noem’s relationship with adviser Corey Lewandowski acting as unofficial “gatekeeper”
- Noem caught lying to Congress about veteran deportations, including Purple Heart recipient Sae Joon Park
- Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin reportedly being considered as Noem’s replacement at DHS
MAGA Media Civil War Erupts Over “ICE Barbie”
Conservative media figures who once championed Kristi Noem’s hardline immigration enforcement are now attacking the Trump administration over reports she may be fired from her role as Homeland Security Secretary. The infighting centers on whether Trump should sacrifice his most aggressive immigration enforcer to contain growing scandals, with some commentators defending the woman they’ve dubbed “ICE Barbie” while others demand accountability for operational failures.
The controversy highlights deepening fractures within Trump’s base between those who prioritize absolute loyalty to immigration hardliners and those concerned about competence and ethical conduct. Multiple reports indicate Trump is actively considering removing Noem in January, with Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin emerging as the likely replacement despite his preference for an economic portfolio over homeland security.
Internal Chaos and Shadow Government at DHS
Former DHS officials describe the department as being “destroyed” under Noem’s leadership, with much of the dysfunction attributed to her alleged romantic relationship with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Lewandowski operates as Noem’s unofficial “gatekeeper,” wielding extraordinary influence over staffing decisions and enforcement policies despite lacking formal authority or Senate confirmation for his role.
Career officials report that Lewandowski travels with Noem, controls access to the Secretary, and shapes critical immigration enforcement decisions from the shadows. This arrangement has created what sources describe as a toxic work environment where formal chains of command are bypassed and institutional knowledge is disregarded. The situation represents exactly the kind of unaccountable shadow governance that conservatives traditionally oppose.
Veteran Deportation Scandal Exposes Enforcement Extremism
Noem’s credibility suffered a devastating blow during a December 12 House hearing when she falsely claimed DHS had never deported U.S. veterans under her watch. Representative Seth Magaziner immediately countered by highlighting the deportation of Sae Joon Park, a Purple Heart recipient and green card holder who was removed despite his decorated military service. This deception undermines trust in DHS leadership and raises serious questions about who is being targeted for removal.
The Park case represents a troubling expansion of deportation priorities that even some conservatives find excessive. When immigration enforcement targets decorated veterans with legal status, it suggests an agency operating without proper oversight or clear priorities. This kind of overreach threatens to erode public support for necessary immigration reforms and validates critics’ concerns about uncontrolled government power.
Sources:
Trump to fire Kristi Noem over ‘secret romance’? Here’s who could replace ICE Barbie
Is Kristi Noem About to Get Fired?
