By President Donald Trump is weighing a major personnel shift inside his Cabinet, with multiple former Department of Homeland Security officials saying the White House is actively considering replacing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in the coming weeks. The discussions, described by individuals who served under both the Biden and Trump administrations, indicate mounting internal dissatisfaction with Noem’s management of the sprawling agency.
Two former DHS officials told Mediate that the administration could move toward her departure “really soon,” while a third emphasized that the situation remains “fluid.” According to those familiar with ongoing deliberations, the president’s frustrations are not rooted in personal dislike. Trump is said to retain a genuine fondness for Noem, the former South Dakota governor he elevated to one of the most critical Cabinet roles. Instead, the tension reflects persistent complaints about her performance and internal decision-making.
A significant point of contention involves Noem’s decision to place Corey Lewandowski — her chief adviser and one of Trump’s earliest political loyalists — in an influential position within the department. Senior West Wing aides have bristled at Lewandowski’s outsized role, viewing his presence as disruptive to policymaking and agency operations. Lewandowski emphatically rejected the reporting, saying, “none of that is true.”
As the administration assesses possible replacements, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has emerged as a leading candidate, according to several individuals briefed on internal conversations. Youngkin, who is term-limited and will exit office in mid-January, has been discussed for multiple Cabinet roles since the 2024 election. Earlier reporting suggested he preferred a portfolio tied to economics or business — not immigration and border security — though he remains publicly enthusiastic about any chance to serve in the administration.
Noem, aware of the speculation, has worked to reaffirm her loyalty to the president. At a Cabinet meeting earlier this week, she offered Trump unqualified praise for this year’s weather patterns, telling him, “You made it through the hurricane season without a hurricane.” She added, “You kept the hurricanes away, we appreciate that.” The comments were swiftly derided by critics and political commentators as an effort to bolster favor amid swirling doubts about her tenure.
Inside DHS, however, the climate appears grim. One former official relayed a candid summary from a current department employee: “It’s horrible. They’re going to destroy this place. I’m just hoping the new secretary gets here in time.” The assessment underscores a pervasive sense of instability inside an agency tasked with managing some of the administration’s highest-stakes priorities, including immigration enforcement, border security, cybersecurity, and emergency response.
The potential shake-up comes as the Trump administration prepares to execute sweeping changes to immigration enforcement and border policy — core issues for Trump’s second-term agenda and areas where the White House expects DHS to operate with maximum coherence and discipline. A leadership transition during implementation would carry logistical and political risks, especially if morale and internal coordination are already strained.
Neither the White House nor DHS has issued a formal statement addressing the reported tensions or possible personnel moves. For now, senior aides continue to weigh whether a change at the top is necessary to align DHS more closely with Trump’s strategic directives as the administration enters a decisive policy phase.
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