Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is drawing scrutiny over her current living arrangement at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., where she is reportedly staying rent-free in a residence typically reserved for the Coast Guard commandant. The move, first reported by The Washington Post, was made following safety concerns after The Daily Mail published photos identifying her previous home.
A DHS spokesperson described the arrangement as temporary but did not disclose how long Noem has lived there or when she plans to leave.
The situation is unusual. Cabinet members who reside in military housing typically pay rent, but Noem—who earns over $200,000 annually and has an estimated net worth of $5 million—is living in the waterfront property at no cost. She reportedly continues to pay rent for her original apartment in the Navy Yard neighborhood.
Critics, including former officials and some members of Congress, argue that her presence in the property could limit housing availability for senior military leaders and raise concerns about the use of government benefits. “What are the optics?” asked Cynthia Brown from the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, suggesting Noem might appear to be taking improper advantage of her position.
In addition to the housing issue, Noem is also under scrutiny for frequent use of a Coast Guard Gulfstream jet. While the aircraft is intended for official travel, it may be used for personal purposes if the government is reimbursed—though DHS has not confirmed whether such reimbursements have occurred.
Further questions are being raised about Corey Lewandowski, a controversial Trump ally and close associate of Noem, who reportedly serves as a special government employee (SGE) for DHS. Under federal rules, SGEs—an unpaid designation—are limited to 130 workdays per year. Axios reports that the White House is monitoring whether Lewandowski is exceeding that limit.