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Kristi Noem Hearing: Senator Kennedy Grills DHS Secretary, Says She Put Trump in 'Awkward Spot'

Noem defended DHS advertising and answered questions about her statements on the Minneapolis shootings and immigration enforcement.

Kristi Noem Hearing: Senator Kennedy Grills DHS Secretary, Says She Put Trump in 'Awkward Spot'
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This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
Newsweek
Mar 3, 2026
tl;dr

At a Senate hearing, Senator John Kennedy challenged Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over a $220 million DHS ad campaign and whether President Trump approved it. Noem also faced questions about her statements after two protesters were fatally shot in Minneapolis.

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Kristi Noem Former U.S. Representative (R-SD)
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Kristi Noem
Former U.S. Representative (R-SD)

Homeland Security secretary testifying before the Senate

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Kennedy
R · LA · SEN

Senator questioning the DHS secretary

Kennedy's version of this story ↗
Russell Vought
R · Director of the Office of Management and Budget

Office of Management and Budget director cited in relation to spending concerns

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President referenced in questions about the DHS advertising campaign

Richard J. Durbin
D · IL · SEN

Senator questioning Noem about her statements on the Minneapolis shootings

ALSO MENTIONED  Stephen Miller, Senior White House adviser mentioned in connection with Noem's earlier statement

Part of a bigger story

10 OUTLETS
John Kennedy Questions Kristi Noem Over $220 Million Ad Campaign

Sen. John Kennedy questioned Kristi Noem at a Senate hearing about a $220 million DHS ad campaign. President Trump later said he had not approved the spending, and Noem left the department for another government role. Center outlets connect the hearing and conflicting accounts about Trump’s approval to Noem’s departure. Right-leaning outlets foreground Kennedy’s account of Trump’s response and the departure that followed.

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