Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem: Controversies and Biography (2025 Update)

Kristi Noem, a former governor and current U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security under Donald Trump, has built a political brand rooted in hard-right populism, but her career has been repeatedly marred by scandal, erratic judgment, and credibility issues. Her tenure in both state and federal roles has drawn intense criticism, particularly following revelations in her 2024 memoir and her controversial leadership at DHS.

Memoir and Animal Abuse Outrage

Noem’s 2024 memoir No Going Back sparked national backlash for proudly recounting how she killed her 14-month-old dog, Cricket, for failing as a hunting companion, and later shot a goat for smelling bad and chasing her children. The unapologetic tone and lack of remorse prompted widespread condemnation, late-night comedy ridicule, and even bipartisan disgust. The episode effectively destroyed her chances of becoming Trump’s 2024 running mate, with several Republicans distancing themselves from her afterward. Animal welfare advocates and voters alike labeled her behavior “psychopathic” and “disqualifying.”

Tribal Bans and Racism Accusations

By mid-2024, all nine Native American tribes in South Dakota had banned Noem from their lands, citing her inflammatory claims that drug cartels were operating within reservations and accusing tribal leaders of profiting from criminal activity. The sweeping generalizations were widely condemned as racist and politically opportunistic. Only one tribe, the Flandreau Santee Sioux, has since lifted the ban. The rest continue to view Noem as a hostile actor, complicating her role as head of a department that oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and national tribal affairs.

Alleged Extramarital Affair with Corey Lewandowski

Persistent allegations of a long-running extramarital affair with Corey Lewandowski, a disgraced former Trump adviser, have dogged Noem’s reputation since 2021. Though both parties deny the claims, multiple reported public encounters—including at Mar-a-Lago—have kept the scandal alive. In early 2025, social media reignited the speculation following Noem’s appointment to DHS, with critics questioning her proximity to Trump’s inner circle and the role favoritism may have played in her nomination.

Disregard for Climate Policy and FEMA Readiness

Noem’s long-standing dismissal of climate change presents a growing concern in her new role overseeing FEMA. As South Dakota governor, she rejected federal climate funding and dismissed carbon cost initiatives as “leftist scams.” Her failure to take preventative action during devastating floods in 2023 stands as a stark example of neglect. Now, as Homeland Security Secretary, she has done nothing to prepare FEMA for climate-related disasters, signaling ideological obstructionism in the face of worsening environmental crises.

Nepotism and Financial Misconduct

Noem has faced multiple ethics scandals, including accusations of pressuring a state agency to fast-track her daughter Kassidy’s real estate appraiser certification in 2020—an act that led to a whistleblower lawsuit and a $200,000 state-funded settlement. In March 2025, a report by The Dakota Scout revealed she had used a government credit card to rack up hundreds of thousands in luxury travel and personal expenses during her time as governor. While her legal team has threatened action against the outlet, public records corroborate portions of the report, deepening concerns over corruption and fiscal misconduct.

DHS Tenure and Hardline Immigration Stunts

Since taking office on January 25, 2025, Noem has leaned into Trump’s most extreme immigration policies. She joined an ICE raid in New York within days of her swearing-in and quickly ended protections for Venezuelan migrants. DHS has frozen grants to NGOs aiding asylum seekers, and Noem has publicly vowed to “hunt down” undocumented immigrants. Despite these high-profile moves, critics argue her efforts are more theatrical than effective—highlighted by a February ICE raid in Colorado that netted only a single arrest.

Biography Summary

• Full Name: Kristi Lynn Noem (née Arnold)

• Born: November 30, 1971 (age 53), Watertown, South Dakota

• Political Party: Republican

• Current Role: 8th U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security

• Past Roles: Governor of South Dakota (2019–2025), U.S. House Representative (2011–2019)

• Education: South Dakota State University (B.A., Political Science, 2012)

• Family: Married to Bryon Noem since 1992; three children

Final Assessment

Kristi Noem’s tenure at DHS, combined with her record as governor, paints a troubling portrait of a political figure more concerned with performance than substance. From ethical lapses and racist tropes to memoir-fueled scandals and a lack of policy competence, her appointment has only reinforced concerns that key roles in the Trump administration are being filled based on loyalty—not merit.