Democrats took to social media Thursday to respond to criticism of ex-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after her ouster.
President Donald Trump announced on social media that Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin would fill the role, two days after Noem faced tough questioning on Capitol Hill about her handling of the administration’s immigration crackdown.
In the post, President Donald Trump praised Noem’s work at the Department of Homeland Security and said she would move into a new role as “special envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” a position focused on security in the Western Hemisphere.
Most local politicians, however, did not echo Trump’s praise.
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, posted on Instagram that it was “about time” that Noem was removed from her position.
Lee and U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel cosponsored a resolution to impeach Noem in January.
“This reckless and lawless enforcement is terrorizing our communities, and it’s past time to fire Kristi Noem,” said Lee in her statement to TribLive in January.
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, voiced his support for Mullin on X.
“I’m not sure how many fellow Democrats will vote to support our colleague @SenMullin as the next DHS Secretary, but I am AYE,” the post said.
As a member of the Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Border Security:
I’m not sure how many fellow Democrats will vote to support our colleague @SenMullin as the next DHS Secretary, but I am AYE.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) March 5, 2026
As of 4 p.m. Thursday, U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Peters, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler and U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pittsburgh had not publicly posted about Noem’s firing.
Political reaction wasn’t just limited to Pennsylvania.
Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin wrote, “Kristi Noem slipped on the outrages of ICE,” in a post calling Noem out for lying in front of Congress.
Kristi Noem was the face of an unpopular, illegal, and outright dangerous mass deportation campaign that claimed the lives of innocent Americans and terrorized many more.
Our country expressed outrage, she repeatedly lied before Congress, and even the President finally conceded…
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) March 5, 2026
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, spoke about her ousting on C-SPAN.
“Kristi Noem is gone. Good riddance. She was a disaster,” Jeffries said.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, said the issue in DHS is a question of policy, not personnel.
“I’ve been asked if I would support Sen. Mullin as Noem’s replacement.The answer is a resounding NO. The rot in DHS is deep, much deeper than any individual,” Schumer said in an X post.