Up First from NPR Trump Fires Kristi Noem, Middle East War Latest, Venezuela-US Diplomacy
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Mar 6, 2026 
Jimena Bastille, NPR immigration policy correspondent who covers DHS and congressional oversight, breaks down the fallout from the Homeland Security shakeup and scrutiny over agency spending. She also walks through widening Middle East violence and shifting U.S.-Venezuela diplomacy. Multiple short takes highlight leadership, regional escalation, and surprising diplomatic deals.
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Noem's Public Role Hurt By Ad Spending And Failures
- Kristi Noem became the public face of the administration's mass deportation effort but faced bipartisan scrutiny after operational failures and spending questions.
- Lawmakers grilled her over a multimillion-dollar ad contract tied to political connections and praise-focused messaging that resembled self-promotion rather than policy communication.
Minnesota Killings Shift Public Trust In ICE
- The Minnesota operation that killed two U.S. citizens shifted public sentiment, with polls showing nearly two-thirds of Americans saying ICE has gone too far.
- That backlash made immigration enforcement a political liability even as it remains a top issue for the president and Democrats heading into midterms.
Confirm New DHS Leader Quickly And Address Funding Gaps
- Markwayne Mullin must secure Senate confirmation and restore trust within the agency as he plans to take over by the end of March.
- Leadership change alone won't fix funding gaps: DHS is in its third week without funding and many employees are furloughed or unpaid.