State, local leaders react to Trump replacing Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary

PHOENIX — State and local leaders reacted Thursday to President Donald Trump replacing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton (D) told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Thursday the termination of Noem as the leader of DHS was the right move, adding that it should have been done months ago.

“What took so long? I called for her firing many months ago after her incredibly poor performance as a result of the Texas floods,” Stanton said. “She was very delayed in providing FEMA resources to the people of Texas. I believe there was loss of life because of her delayed response.”

The congressman also criticized Noem’s performance leading Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, which resulted in the deaths of two protesters — poet Renee Nicole Good and nurse Alex Pretti.

Despite the president not providing any information on why he replaced Noem, Stanton speculated that Trump’s reasoning might have to do with it being revealed during recent Congress hearings that DHS awarded a massive contract to one of her family members.

“Apparently, the contract was to get her face on TV as much as possible. So it was a self-promotional contract,” Stanton said. “And I think that upset the president. She name-checked the president as having approved that agreement. I think that upset the president. But what goes into a termination? I can’t get inside of Donald Trump’s mind.”

Stanton noted that Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who will become the DHS leader on March 31, will need to clarify for both the Senate and the American people what he intends to do differently from Noem during his confirmation process.

“I hope he commits that ICE is going to move toward a targeted immigration enforcement, which the American people would support, versus the mass deportation that we have seen,” Stanton said. “And I hope he reverses the decision to purchase dozens of warehouses around the country that they plan to convert to mass detention centers, including in Surprise, Arizona.”

The congressman added that, if Mullin were smart, he would immediately clarify that he intends to implement the reforms Democrats have requested regarding professionalism within ICE.

Stanton also shared his reaction and opinions on social media:

I called on the President to fire Kristi Noem after her disastrous handling of the Texas Floods last year and reports of crimes, coverups, and corruption at @DHSgov.

Her departure can’t come fast enough. https://t.co/kXpcZrVlIp

— Rep. Greg Stanton (@RepGregStanton) March 5, 2026

Good riddance. pic.twitter.com/lzii0MQByK

— Rep. Greg Stanton (@RepGregStanton) March 5, 2026

What did other state leaders say about Kristi Noem being replaced?

In a video posted to X, U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D) credited overwhelming public pressure as the reason behind Trump’s decision to replace Noem.

“This is a really big win, and I want everyone to feel proud of it because Kristi Noem has done so much damage to this country as ICE has terrorized communities across the United States, and obviously the murder of multiple U.S. citizens,” Ansari said. “She needs to be held accountable for that.”

Ansari echoed Stanton, stating that Mullin will need to make dramatic changes to ICE if he wants to earn any support.

BREAKING: Kristi Noem fired as DHS Secretary.

Under Kristi Noem AND Donald Trump, ICE operated with ZERO accountability.

The political cover may be gone but accountability is just getting started. pic.twitter.com/XPm71YY7rj

— Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (@RepYassAnsari) March 5, 2026

U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D) was not as jovial about the move, emphasizing that swapping out DHS’ leader won’t fix what’s broken within the department.

Swapping out who’s sitting in the chair won’t fix what’s broken at DHS.

The problem is the culture being driven by Stephen Miller. Arbitrary quotas, racial profiling, and agents sent into our streets with no accountability. That’s what has to change. https://t.co/PDrA9oMdj4

— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) March 5, 2026

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs (R) highlighted that Noem inherited the “worst border in our country’s history” and said that for her efforts “she had our gratitude as she leaves office.”

The congressman also congratulated Mullin on Trump’s nomination.

Congratulations to Senator @MarkwayneMullin on being nominated by President @realDonaldTrump to be our next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. I trust Senator Mullin will execute the administration’s vision and policies to effectively protect our homeland. I look…

— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) March 5, 2026

Cochise County sheriff shares whether move will impact southern AZ border

Despite having a positive working relationship with Noem on the Homeland Security Advisor Council, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels told KTAR News 92.3 FM that he wasn’t surprised by Noem being replaced due to the headlines and turmoil over the past 14 months.

“As political appointees know, there is no guarantee that job will last forever,” Dannels said. “And her job is to fulfill the expectations of the appointee, in this case the President of the United States, and obviously the president wanted to go in a different direction.”

The Republican sheriff believes there was an oversight on DHS partnering with local law enforcement.

“We go after the worst of the worst in our communities,” Dannels said. “Partner with us; make it a reality, make it a partnership, like we do every day and let’s get that person.”

Dannels said that Noem being replaced will not impact border operations in southern Arizona.

“We’re going to do what we have to do in every community in this country to include what we do in the border,” Dannels said. “We’re going to continue doing this. Sheriffs have got autonomy in their offices due to the fact that they’re elected by the local people not the federal government. But together, we share authorities, we share missions (and) at the end of day it’s (a) one badge approach.”

Trump said Noem’s new position will be special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, the country’s new security initiative in the Western Hemisphere. His administration will give more details in an official announcement on Saturday in Doral, Florida.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Heidi Hommel and Balin Overstolz-McNair contributed to this report. 

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