The Political Scene | The New Yorker The Kristi Noem Show Is Cancelled
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Mar 11, 2026 
Jonathan Blitzer, a New Yorker staff writer who covers national security and immigration, explains Kristi Noem’s removal from Homeland Security. He recounts her mismanagement, performative law-enforcement tactics, and the role of advisers like Stephen Miller. The conversation also traces DHS’s post-9/11 origins, enforcement incentives, and how immigration became a testing ground for expanded executive power.
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Horse Ad And Chaps Helped Trigger Noem's Fall
- Kristi Noem blamed Trump for a $220 million DHS ad featuring her on a horse with chaps, claiming he approved it after the fact.
- That false claim and public spectacle contributed to the president's frustration and her political downfall.
Noem Made Law Enforcement Into Pageantry
- Noem turned DHS into performative law enforcement, prioritizing photo ops, viral videos, and pageantry over sober management.
- Examples include staged arrests released for social media and Noem dressing in multiple agency uniforms for publicity.
Lewandowski's Ubiquity Reshaped DHS Staffing
- Corey Lewandowski, as a special government employee, was omnipresent around Noem, signing documents and influencing personnel moves.
- Their partnership elevated controversial operatives and alienated experienced DHS officials like Tom Homan.