Trump ignores Kristi Noem during Cabinet meeting as calls for her firing grow amid ICE crackdown

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump reportedly ignored Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, January 29, as calls for her termination have grown amid an ICE crackdown across the country.

Noem has faced intense scrutiny over the crackdown on immigrants, particularly following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota.

In addition, the apparent detention of a 5-year-old boy named Liam Conejo Ramos by federal agents and the attack on Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar during a town hall event have further fueled public outrage.

Trump skips Kristi Noem amid ICE backlash, avoids questions

During the meeting, the president heard from several Cabinet members, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner.

Vice President JD Vance also made brief remarks while concluding the meeting. However, Trump bypassed Noem and did not take any questions from the media.

CNN chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins reportedly said, “There have been a ton of headlines generated around Minneapolis, what's happening there, especially with the president changing his leadership there on the ground. That did not come up at all during this Cabinet meeting, and we were there for over an hour and a half.”

“Not once was Minneapolis brought up, and obviously no questions were brought up to the president because he did not take questions, despite talking during the Cabinet meeting about how he believes they are the most transparent administration ever,” Collins added.

Kristi Noem and Gregory Bovino dropped from Minneapolis ICE crackdown

This followed the sidelining of Kristi Noem and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino from the Minneapolis ICE operation.

While the 54-year-old Noem continues to hold her position, Bovino was reassigned to his Border Patrol post in El Centro, California.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called him “a wonderful man and a great professional,” adding that he is “going to very much continue to lead Customs and Border Patrol throughout and across the country.”

Meanwhile, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin wrote on X, “Chief Gregory Bovino has NOT been relieved of his duties. As @PressSec stated from the White House podium, @CMDROpAtLargeCA is a key part of the President’s team and a great American.”

Tom Homan overseeing Minneapolis ICE operations

Following Gregory Bovino’s departure, White House border czar Tom Homan was placed in charge of ICE operations in Minneapolis.

Trump said in a social media post, “I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight. He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me.”