Trump on $220M Noem ad: ‘I spent less money than that to become president’
President Donald Trump publicly criticized a multimillion-dollar Department of Homeland Security advertising campaign that prominently featured then–Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, drawing renewed attention to the program just days after he removed her from the cabinet and nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to lead the agency.
Trump made the remarks in his first public comments following Noem’s dismissal, expressing frustration with the roughly $220 million DHS promotional campaign that highlighted the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts and placed Noem at the center of the messaging.
Speaking to NBC News, President Trump distanced himself from the initiative and questioned the cost.
“I wasn’t thrilled,” Trump said about the campaign. “I spent less money than that to become president.”
His remarks highlighted a growing dispute between the White House and Noem over who authorized the initiative, which became one of the administration’s most visible public-relations efforts tied to its immigration crackdown.
During congressional testimony earlier in the week, Noem told lawmakers that President Trump had supported the campaign, which aimed to promote deportation operations and highlight the administration’s border enforcement policies.
Trump later disputed that claim, telling reporters he had not been aware that such a large amount of money would be spent on the project.
The disagreement appears to have deepened tensions between the president and the former Homeland Security secretary. According to reporting cited by National Review, Trump was described as “privately furious” about the advertising effort and the suggestion that he had personally approved it.
The campaign also drew criticism from lawmakers and government watchdog groups because of its size and the fact that it prominently featured Noem, prompting questions about whether federal funds were being used to raise the public profile of a cabinet official.
The controversy emerged alongside a number of political and operational disputes during Noem’s tenure at DHS.
Among the issues raised by critics were disagreements with the U.S. Coast Guard over operational decisions, allegations that department resources were redirected away from a search-and-rescue mission for a missing service member, and ongoing tensions with lawmakers regarding immigration enforcement policies.
Meanwhile, some Democrats in the House of Representatives have begun pushing toward possible impeachment proceedings against Noem. Reports indicate that more than 100 lawmakers have signed onto proposed articles accusing her of misconduct.
The draft articles cite three alleged violations: obstruction of Congress, including claims that lawmakers were prevented from entering DHS facilities; violation of public trust tied to immigration enforcement practices and due process concerns; and self-dealing related to the advertising contract connected to the DHS campaign.
Noem’s departure comes as the Department of Homeland Security continues to play a central role in President Trump’s immigration agenda, which focuses on expanding detention capacity and accelerating deportation operations.
Trump moved quickly to nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, to lead the department.
Announcing the nomination, President Trump praised Mullin, saying he was a “big fan of the senator from Oklahoma.”
Mullin, who does not have a background in federal law enforcement, told reporters he welcomed the opportunity to lead the agency.
“I’m super excited about this opportunity,” Mullin said, adding that his goal is to “keep the homeland secure.”
He also said he plans to seek bipartisan support during the confirmation process.
“I’m going to try to earn everybody’s vote,” Mullin said. “If they have real concerns, I’m going to listen to it. I’m going to be practical.”
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