Kristi Noem firing sparks CELEBRATIONS inside Department of Homeland Security with smiling staff glad to be rid of her
Trump announced Mullin as Noem’s intended successor at Homeland Security.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates Daily Mail, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.
The Daily Mail is an established publication with named bylines, but this story relies heavily on unnamed insiders and uses sensational framing. Its institutional credibility is moderate rather than comparable to a major newspaper of record.
- Source type — Established international publication, though its tabloid style warrants caution.
- Editorial standards — The headline and presentation are sensational, reducing confidence in restrained editorial framing.
- Author attribution — Four reporters are named.
- Transparency — Key accounts come from unnamed department sources, and DHS had not responded by publication.
The article includes attributed accounts, Noem’s defense of the advertising contract, and Trump’s public announcement. However, much of the reporting relies on anonymous sources, and it does not include direct responses from Noem or DHS to the reported staff reaction and allegations.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article reports Noem’s defense of the contract and Trump’s public praise, but the account is dominated by critical claims and anonymous sources. It offers little direct response from the people criticized.
- Source diversity — Several consequential descriptions come from unnamed insiders, with no direct response from Noem or DHS.
- Counterarguments presented — Noem’s claim that the contract was handled correctly is included, as are Trump’s favorable remarks about her service.
- Loaded language — The headline and descriptions emphasize celebration, scandal and personal controversy.
- Omitted context — The article gives limited detail on the campaign’s procurement process or the circumstances around the fatal shootings.
The article is sharply critical in its presentation of Noem but does not consistently advance a discernible left- or right-leaning political position. Its emphasis and language are sensational more than clearly ideological.
- Language tone — Uses charged terms and repeats the label “ICE Barbie,” while the political direction of the criticism is not clear.
- Framing — Frames Noem’s firing through controversy and staff relief rather than through a policy argument.
- Source selection — Relies on sources describing staff celebrations and internal frustration, with limited direct comment from the officials involved.
Republished
Republished from Daily Mail. The relationship between the two publishers has not been determined.
449 stories · 54–55 · updated Oct 9, 2026
This is Daily Mail's own score, and this article is credited to Daily Mail. The host score in the Source Check is Daily Mail's.
Kristi Noem’s firing as Homeland Security secretary was reportedly welcomed by staff, while President Trump announced Senator Markwayne Mullin as her intended successor. The article links the firing to scrutiny over Noem’s testimony about a $220 million DHS advertising campaign and other controversies.
Department staff told the Daily Mail that Noem’s firing was met with celebrations and that morale had suffered amid internal turmoil. The article reports that Noem’s testimony to Senator John Kennedy about Trump approving a $220 million advertising campaign drew scrutiny; Noem said the contract was handled correctly, while reports cited in the article said Trump was surprised by her claim. Noem and Corey Lewandowski denied allegations of an affair.
Trump announced that Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin would be nominated to replace Noem, and said she would become a special envoy. Before the announcement, Mullin declined to discuss the possibility of taking the job. The article also reports that Noem faced criticism over federal agents’ fatal shootings of two Americans in Minnesota and says her removal was the first Cabinet-level firing of Trump’s second term.
Community verdict
VOTING CLOSEDNo good or bad look here
This story reports what happened without casting Mullin in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Mullin’s record.
People in this story
SWIPE →Senator selected by Trump as the intended next Homeland Security secretary
Former Homeland Security secretary whose firing and conduct are central to the story
Noem's version of this story ↗President who fired Noem and announced Mullin as her intended successor
Trump's version of this story ↗Senator whom Noem’s defenders expected to confront her
Senator who questioned Noem under oath
U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, formerly national security adviser
White House chief of staff reportedly frustrated with Noem
Part of a bigger story
17 OUTLETSOutlets agree that Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and said he would nominate Markwayne Mullin to replace her. Left-leaning outlets scrutinize Mullin’s qualifications and likely policy continuity, with one article focusing on possible consequences for FEMA. Center outlets largely report the leadership change alongside scrutiny of Noem and details about Mullin’s nomination and Senate implications. Right-leaning outlets also report the change alongside criticism of Noem, including bipartisan criticism and Mullin’s confirmation requirement.
- ARTICLES
- 18
- OUTLETS
- 17
- AVG CRED
- 66
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