Trump attacks Noem’s $220M ad blitz after ouster of DHS chief

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump confirmed his dissatisfaction on Thursday, March 5, with a massive $220 million advertisement campaign featuring Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem.

The President's remarks came shortly after he announced that Noem would be replaced as the head of DHS, bringing her tenure to an end amid mounting scrutiny over the department's spending and promotional tactics. 

"I wasn’t thrilled with it. I spent less money than that to become president," Trump told NBC News later Thursday. The President pointedly refuted Noem’s earlier claims that he had sanctioned the campaign, stating flatly, "I didn’t know about it."

Excessive spending for personal name recognition

The controversial $220 million advertisement featured the former South Carolina governor on horseback, urging immigrants to self-deport from the United States.

The campaign drew sharp criticism on Capitol Hill, particularly during a tense Senate Judiciary Committee hearing earlier this week.

Republican Senator John Kennedy pressed Noem on the optics of the campaign, suggesting it was primarily "effective in your name recognition." 

Kennedy argued that the expenditure put the President in a "terribly awkward spot," highlighting a growing rift between the secretary and party leadership over the use of taxpayer funds for what appeared to be personal branding.

Conflicting accounts over presidential approval

During her Tuesday testimony, Noem insisted that President Trump had personally requested an ad campaign during last year’s Conservative Political Action Conference.

She claimed the President told her, "I want the first ad, I want you to thank me... for closing the border," to which she allegedly agreed. 

However, the President disputed that narrative in remarks on Thursday, saying he was unaware of the specifics of the $220 million rollout. 

Despite the friction over the ads, Trump clarified there was no single "last straw" that led to her reassignment, noting that he still considers her a "fine person" who did a "good job" at the border.

Noem reassigned to regional security initiative

Following her ouster from DHS, Noem will transition to a new role as a special envoy for "The Shield of Americas."

Trump described this as a newly formed "Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere" intended to address regional threats, with a formal announcement scheduled for Saturday.

Noem thanked the President for the appointment on Thursday, stating she will focus on dismantling cartels that have "killed our children and grandchildren."

She vowed to work closely with the administration to prevent the flow of drugs into the nation through this new security framework.

Senator Mullin tapped as next secretary

President Trump has nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to fill the vacancy at the head of Homeland Security.

Mullin expressed excitement over the nomination, though he admitted it came as "a little bit of a surprise." He emphasized that there is "a lot of work" to do to ensure the department is working effectively for the American people.

The President indicated that he expects the confirmation process to move swiftly, with Mullin assuming the role by the end of the month.

Trump praised the senator as a "strong choice," signaling a shift toward a new leadership style for the embattled department.