DHS slams 'incorrect' report claiming tension between Kristi Noem and Coast Guard over immigration

WASHINGTON, DC: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has strongly rejected a news report claiming that Kristi Noem has a tense relationship with Coast Guard officials. According to DHS, the report attempts to tarnish what it calls the “historic successes” of the department and the Coast Guard during President Donald Trump’s second term.

A spokesperson said the “entire premise” is “incorrect,” calling the claims “attacks” and describing them as a “politicized deep state effort” meant to undermine immigration enforcement priorities.

The report alleged that Noem had faced growing disagreements with senior Coast Guard leaders over immigration enforcement and deportation flights.

DHS denies NBC report on Kristi Noem

DHS responded strongly to the NBC News report, saying it mischaracterizes both the situation and the department’s operations. "The entire premise of your story is incorrect, and these attacks are nothing more than a politicized deep state effort to undermine President Trump's immigration enforcement agenda and distract from the historic successes that the Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard have achieved since he returned to office," a DHS spokesperson said.

Officials said reports that the C-130 plane was moved away from the rescue mission are wrong. DHS said "the C-130 never left the search", and there is no record showing it was taken off the mission.

A DHS spokesperson said in an email to Newsmax that "The aircraft supported the search from February 4-8 out of El Salvador and then returned to San Diego on February 9, the day after the search was suspended."

A spokesperson further criticized attempts to link politics to the incident and framed the reporting as an effort to damage reputations. "That anybody would try to politicize this mission and tragic loss of life just to smear a public official for political gain - especially while hiding behind the veil of anonymity - is shameful and grotesque."

Report claims Kristi Noem-Coast Guard tensions

NBC News reported that Kristi Noem is facing tension in her working relationship with Coast Guard leaders. The outlet said some officials are unhappy with what they see as shifting priorities within the service.

According to the outlet, new guidelines sent last year to Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento show that Noem is pushing policies that could affect future Coast Guard operations. The headline of the report read: "Noem's use of Coast Guard resources strains her relationship with the military branch, sources say."

The article added, "Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s relationship with US Coast Guard officials has become strained throughout her first year leading the department, according to two US officials, a Coast Guard official and a former Coast Guard official."

According to the outlet, “It puts so much stress on the wing,” the Coast Guard official said, referring to the branch’s aviation units.

NBC News reported, citing unnamed current and former officials, that disagreements increased over immigration enforcement and the use of Coast Guard planes for deportation flights.