REPORT: Trump Floats Firing Key Official

President Donald Trump has privately sounded out Republican lawmakers on whether he should fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after she endured a brutal round of congressional hearings this week, according to multiple GOP sources who said they spoke with the president.

Trump began calling lawmakers after Noem faced sharp questioning from both Republicans and Democrats during Senate and House Judiciary Committee hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The fallout was serious enough that House Speaker Mike Johnson raised the possibility of leadership changes at the Department of Homeland Security during a recent retreat for senior Republicans in Fort Lauderdale.

Still, replacing Noem would not be easy. Republicans are privately concerned they may not have the 51 Senate votes needed to confirm a new DHS secretary if Trump decides to push her out, according to Punchbowl News.

Trump was reportedly particularly angered by Noem’s responses during a tense exchange with Sen. John Kennedy, who pressed her about the botched immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and a $220 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign critics say boosted her national profile.

The cinematic ad featured the former South Dakota governor riding horseback at Mount Rushmore and galloping alongside a stampede of bison while wearing a cowboy hat. The contract went to an LLC that later subcontracted with a firm run by the husband of DHS spokesman Tricia McLaughlin, who has since resigned.

Noem struggled under Kennedy’s slow, honeyed drawl as the Louisiana Republican walked through the controversy piece by piece.

“The President approved ahead of time you spending $220 million running TV ads across the country in which you are featured prominently?” Kennedy asked.

Noem replied: “Yes sir, we went through the legal processes.”

ALSO TRENDING: 5 Republicans Join Democrats To Subpoena Key Trump Official

Kennedy shot back: “Did the President know you were gonna do this?”

Noem claimed that Trump did, prompting Kennedy to ask again in disbelief: “He did?”

“Uh huh, yes,” she replied.

Kennedy warned the ads could create a political headache for Trump.

“The adverts were ‘effective in your name recognition. To me, it puts the President in a terribly awkward spot.'”

The grilling from Republicans did not stop there.

Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina launched into a heated tirade, calling Noem’s tenure at DHS a “disaster” and urging her to step down.

“What we’ve seen is a disaster! Under your leadership, Ms Noem – a disaster!” Tillis shouted. “What we’ve seen is innocent people being detained.”

ALSO TRENDING: 5 Republicans Join Democrats To Subpoena Key Trump Official

Tillis also pressed Noem over her refusal to accept responsibility for the killing of protesters by federal agents during unrest in Minneapolis in January, an incident that reportedly led Trump to sideline her.

The following day, Democrats on the House panel went even further.

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked Noem directly: “At any time during your tenure as director of Department of Homeland Security, have you had sexual relations with Corey Lewandowski?”

Noem fired back, calling the question “offensive” and dismissing the allegation as “tabloid garbage.”

Download the FREE Trending Politics App to get the latest news FIRST >>