Fox News reporter reveals what finally pushed Trump to fire Kristi Noem – the affair rumors were only part of it

President Trump has fired Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. According to Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich, who spoke with officials close to the president, the decision came from a “combination of her many unfortunate leadership failures.” Three key factors led to her removal.

The most significant factor was Noem’s $200 million advertising campaign focused on border security. According to Mediaite, the campaign featured Noem prominently on horseback at Mount Rushmore. Noem told Congress that President Trump had approved the expensive campaign, but that was not how Trump saw it.

Beyond the ad campaign, there were allegations of an affair between Noem and Corey Lewandowski, who was serving as a special government employee and advisor. Both Noem and Lewandowski are married. Reports had been circulating for several weeks that Noem tried to appoint Lewandowski as her chief of staff, but Trump reportedly blocked that move because of the affair rumors.

Noem’s refusal to deny the affair allegations under oath made her position very difficult to defend

What made the affair allegations more serious is that Noem was questioned about them under oath during testimony on Capitol Hill just days before her firing. She dismissed the reports as “garbage,” but she did not deny having sexual relations with Corey Lewandowski. Choosing not to directly deny such an accusation while under oath drew significant attention.

For those following this story through Fox News coverage of Trump’s legal battles, the network has been at the center of several high-profile political developments recently. Lewandowski is also expected to leave his post as a special government employee and advisor. It is not entirely clear whether he will move on to a new role or simply depart government service, but his exit appears directly tied to these events.

Noem had already faced strong criticism and calls for her removal from several Republican senators before this decision was made. So while the ad campaign and affair rumors were the immediate triggers, there was also broader dissatisfaction with her performance in the role. 

Interestingly, some viewers have been blocking parental access to Fox News altogether, reflecting how divisive the network’s political coverage has become in households across the country. President Trump has decided to elevate Markwayne Mullin to the Secretary of Homeland Security position. Mullin is now awaiting confirmation. It remains to be seen what changes he will bring to the department once confirmed.