Kristi Noem

Media outlets reported allegations that Noem had maintained an extramarital relationship with Corey Lewandowski, an adviser who became highly influential within her political circle and subsequently at DHS.

Noem centralised oversight of DHS expenditure by requiring approval at her office level for contracts and grants exceeding $100,000, a measure accused of delaying operations and concentrating unusual power.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

DHS spent approximately $220 million on an immigration communications campaign prominently featuring Noem. Limited competition and the involvement of companies linked to Republican networks and her associates triggered calls for investigation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

At a hearing, Noem denied that Corey Lewandowski played a role in approving DHS contracts. ProPublica subsequently published internal documents and employee testimony showing that he signed or approved numerous files before they reached Noem.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After American citizens died during federal operations in Minneapolis, Noem defended the officers and used harsh characterisations, including 'domestic terrorists', before facing strong criticism in Congress and within her own party.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

The DHS Inspector General examined contracting practices during Noem's tenure, while her successor cancelled or reassessed numerous contracts and unfinished projects amid criticism of limited competition, costs and political advisers' influence.

State of the evidence

Documented

Donald Trump dismissed Noem in March 2026 and selected Senator Markwayne Mullin to replace her, following a period dominated by controversies over immigration, shootings involving federal officers and DHS spending.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Noem visited CECOT prison in El Salvador and filmed a message in front of prisoners warning migrants that unlawful entry into the United States could lead to deportation and imprisonment.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Under Noem's leadership, DHS was among agencies using polygraphs and intensified internal investigations to identify people responsible for leaks, including relatively minor information.

State of the evidence

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Direct responsibility

Cameron Hamilton left his position as acting FEMA administrator following internal tensions over the administration's intention to reduce the agency substantially. Reuters reported that his replacement was planned even before his public disagreement with Trump.

State of the evidence

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Direct responsibility

Noem alleged that drug cartels operated on reservations and that certain tribal leaders benefited from them, triggering a major political rupture with several Native American nations. A large majority of the state's tribes barred her from their lands.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Personally implicated

Noem posted a video praising a Texas dental clinic after receiving treatment there, without specifying in the video whether she had been paid or received any benefit. A lawsuit alleged undisclosed advertising.

State of the evidence

Alleged

Attribution

Directly implicated

In her memoir, Noem recounted shooting her young hunting dog Cricket after deciding that it was uncontrollable and aggressive, and subsequently killing a goat, prompting an intense public and political reaction.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Personally implicated

Noem's memoir claimed, among other things, that she had met Kim Jong Un. Following challenges, her team said the passage would be corrected. The Élysée also disputed her account of a cancelled meeting with Emmanuel Macron.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

The non-profit American Resolve Policy Fund, which promoted Noem's political interests, paid approximately $138,000 in 2024 to her company Ashwood Strategies for fundraising consultancy, after payments made the previous year.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After initially signalling support for a bill banning transgender girls and women from female sports teams, Noem requested substantial amendments in 2021, angering conservatives. She subsequently signed a revised version in 2022 covering schools and universities.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

After Noem's daughter encountered difficulties obtaining certification as a property appraiser, Noem convened a meeting with officials from the relevant agency. Her daughter subsequently obtained her licence, and the agency head left her position following a $200,000 settlement in an age discrimination dispute.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Noem faced scrutiny over use of state aircraft for certain journeys associated with events organised by political or campaign groups.

State of the evidence

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Attribution

Political responsibility

Noem supported a proposal inspired by Texas legislation allowing civil actions against people facilitating abortions. The bill did not even receive substantive consideration in a Republican-dominated committee.

State of the evidence

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Political responsibility

Noem rejected statewide lockdowns and mask mandates in South Dakota while supporting or welcoming large gatherings, notably the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, during the pandemic.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

South Dakota accepted an approximately $1 million private donation from a prominent Republican donor to finance deployment of its National Guard to the Texas–Mexico border, prompting criticism of possible privatisation of public military decisions.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

The Noem administration launched an anti-drug campaign costing approximately $1.4 million with the slogan 'Meth. We're on it', prompting national mockery and criticism of public spending.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility