Noem's Firing Was About Image, Not Policy - Expect Continued DHS Abuses Under Mullin
Source: Ben Beckett. "Don’t Expect Kristi Noem’s Departure to Change Anything." March 13, 2026. jacobin.com
The Gist
The author argues that Trump fired his Homeland Security secretary not because she oversaw terrible human rights abuses, but because she embarrassed him on TV. Since her replacement is just another Trump loyalist, the same harmful policies will continue - they'll just get less attention.
Conclusion
Kristi Noem's departure from DHS will not change the department's abusive policies because she was fired for embarrassing Trump, not for civil rights violations, and her replacement Markwayne Mullin will continue the same policies
Premises
- Trump fired Noem for making him look bad on TV (affair allegations and unauthorized advertising campaign), not for overseeing civil rights violations
- Noem presided over extensive human rights abuses including killings, military-style occupations, wrongful detentions, and torture-like conditions that Trump did not object to
- Markwayne Mullin, Noem's replacement, is a Trump loyalist with no relevant experience who will maintain the same policies
- Trump's pattern is to make big splashes for his base but continue the same substantive policies outside the spotlight
- Mullin's appointment represents a more dangerous situation where ICE and CBP abuses will seem normal due to reduced media attention
Assumptions
- Trump's primary concern is his personal image rather than policy outcomes
- Personnel changes at the top of agencies don't necessarily change institutional practices
- Media attention is necessary to constrain government abuse
- Trump loyalists will prioritize the president's agenda over civil rights concerns
- Past behavior predicts future behavior in political appointments