John Kennedy says Trump was fuming over Kristi Noem before firing her: 'Mad as a hornet'

WASHINGTON, DC: Tensions inside the Republican camp spilled into public view this week after Sen John Kennedy shared details of a private call with President Donald Trump just hours before Kristi Noem was fired.

Speaking on Thursday, March 5, Kennedy said Trump was already furious after watching Noem’s Senate hearing earlier in the week. The Louisiana Republican described the president’s mood, saying Trump was “mad as a m****r hornet” when they spoke Tuesday night.

Kennedy also revealed that the conversation came shortly after Noem had requested approval for a massive television advertising campaign, a proposal that appeared to further anger the president.

Trump reportedly furious after Kristi Noem’s Senate hearing

Kennedy told reporters that Trump’s frustration was evident when the president called him shortly after Noem’s Senate appearance.

While the senator initially joked that he did not want to get caught in the middle of the situation, he eventually opened up about what he heard from Trump.

“I’m not getting between a dog and a fire hydrant,” Kennedy said when asked about the fallout surrounding Noem.

Still, he acknowledged that the president had already made up his mind. According to Kennedy, Trump was visibly upset following the hearing and appeared ready to remove Noem from her position.

John Kennedy slams proposed $220M TV campaign featuring Kristi Noem

One issue that reportedly fueled Trump’s frustration was a proposal tied to a massive television advertising campaign.

Kennedy said Noem had asked Trump to approve the campaign, which would have cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

“A quarter of a billion dollars — not a million, a quarter of a billion dollars — on television to promote yourself,” Kennedy said while describing the plan.

The senator did not hold back his reaction to the proposal.

“Gag me with a spoon, man,” he added.

Despite the criticism, Kennedy acknowledged that there were conflicting versions of events surrounding the controversy.

The senator was careful to note that "her version of the truth and the president's version of the truth are different.” He said he was unsurprised she was fired.

Contract details and Senate questioning add to controversy

Reports earlier in the day added more context to the situation, particularly surrounding the advertising contract itself.

According to reports cited during the discussion, the campaign involved a $220 million contract that had been awarded to a firm connected to the husband of a former Department of Homeland Security spokesperson. The advertisements were reportedly filmed at Mount Rushmore in October.

During her Senate questioning, Noem told lawmakers that Trump was aware of the public relations campaign and its plans. However, the disagreement over whether the president had fully approved the initiative reportedly deepened tensions behind the scenes.

At the same time, Republicans in Washington appeared divided about the timing of her removal. Some party members reportedly worried about whether a replacement nominee could secure enough votes in the Senate, especially if Democrats united against the nomination and some Republicans decided to break ranks.

Concerns also centered on the political climate surrounding immigration policies and enforcement operations, which could dominate confirmation hearings for any new nominee.

Markwayne Mullin caught off guard as DHS leadership changes unfold

As the situation unfolded, attention quickly shifted to who might take over leadership responsibilities at the Department of Homeland Security.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma was identified as Noem’s replacement, though he appeared just as surprised by the development as many observers.

Speaking briefly with reporters, Mullin admitted he had learned about the decision only moments before the news became public.

“I found out a little bit before you guys did,” Mullin said.

He added that he still needed to speak with Trump to ensure they were aligned moving forward.

The senator avoided giving clear answers about whether he planned to make changes at the department. Instead, he quickly stepped away from reporters to cast a vote.