Kristi Noem

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 10,000 people over five days at the end of June, part of a surge in deportations under the Trump administration. The agency shifted from public arrest sweeps to quieter methods, with arrests averaging 2,000 per day. The Department of Homeland Security emphasized targeting 'criminal illegal aliens,' while ICE detention numbers rose to 39,000 in June.

A federal audit found only 25% of $14 billion in federal funds for Puerto Rico's power grid post-Hurricane Maria had been disbursed nearly a decade later, with delays attributed to staff turnover, onerous project reviews, and the territory's financial struggles. Chronic blackouts persist despite the allocated funds, with only 400 miles of planned vegetation clearance completed by February.

A federal audit found that only 25% of $14 billion in federal funds for Puerto Rico's power grid after Hurricane Maria has been disbursed nearly a decade later. Chronic delays include slow vegetation clearing, project review challenges, and Puerto Rico's financial struggles, with Luma Energy facing legal disputes over power management.

A federal audit found that only 25% of $14 billion in federal funds obligated for Puerto Rico's power grid recovery after Hurricane Maria has been disbursed nearly a decade later. Chronic blackouts and delays in infrastructure projects persist, with only 400 miles of planned transmission lines cleared using federal funds as of February 2026.

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) supports House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and criticizes Sen. Elissa Slotkin for advocating new leadership in Congress. The CBC accuses Slotkin of seeking higher office in 2028 and highlights her votes to confirm multiple members of President Donald Trump's Cabinet.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to allow the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian and Syrian nationals, blocking lower court rulings that had prevented termination. The majority held that federal law prohibits judicial review of the decision to revoke TPS designations, while dissenting justices argued for allowing litigation to continue. The TPS program, established in 1990, permits DHS to grant temporary stay rights to nationals from countries experiencing extraordinary conditions.

The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to proceed with ending temporary protected status (TPS) for Syrian and Haitian migrants, citing changes in conditions in their home countries. Lower courts had previously blocked the revocations, but the Supreme Court deferred a final decision, maintaining the migrants' protections for now.

Bryon, the husband of Kristi Noem, allegedly sent a text message to a dominatrix on May 17 stating, 'I’ve been a really bad boy.' The messages reportedly occurred after a prior report about him.

Kristi Noem is under fire for commuting a life sentence. The man later allegedly killed a 14-year-old girl.

A convicted killer, later freed by Kristi Noem, is now charged in the death of a 14-year-old girl. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley stated the clemency decision was entirely Noem's.

A new steel-bollard border wall project in Big Bend National Park, Texas, approved by former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, has sparked local concern. The $2.45 billion project includes contracts for Barnard Construction Co. and Fisher Sand and Gravel, with potential impacts on Presidio's flood control levee system.

A man was charged in the death of McKenna Wendel, whose body was found outside Brookings on March 19 after she was last seen alive on March 14. His life sentence was commuted by Kristi Noem.

Two men, including Mark Milk whose life sentence was commuted by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, face charges in the death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel. Wendel's body was found five days after she went missing in March, and Milk is accused of possession of cocaine leading to her death and conspiracy to cover up the crime.

Two men, including the uncle of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel, were indicted in federal court for charges related to her disappearance and death. Her remains were found in rural Brookings County, South Dakota, after she went missing in March. The uncle, Mark Milk, previously had a conviction for first-degree manslaughter and was paroled after his charges were commuted by South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.

Two men, Mark Milk (McKenna Wendel's uncle) and Jon Rogness, were indicted in federal court in Iowa for charges related to the death of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel. Charges include drug possession resulting in death, transporting a minor, and conspiracy. The investigation involved multiple jurisdictions in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota.

Two men, Mark Milk (uncle of 14-year-old McKenna Wendel) and Jon Rogness, were indicted on federal charges linked to her disappearance and death. Milk faces charges including possession of a controlled substance resulting in death and transporting a minor, while Rogness is charged with conspiracy and accessory after the fact. The investigation involved multiple jurisdictions and the FBI.

A South Dakota man whose life sentence was commuted by Kristi Noem is implicated in the death of his 14-year-old niece.

Two men, including one whose life sentence was commuted by then-South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, have been charged in the death of a 14-year-old girl. Her body was found five days after she went missing in March.

A South Dakota man, Mark Milk, whose life sentence was commuted by then-Gov. Kristi Noem, is charged in the death of his 14-year-old niece, McKenna Wendel, found five days after she went missing in March. Milk faces five counts including drug possession linked to her death, while Jon Rogness is charged with conspiracy to cover up the crimes.

A South Dakota man, Mark Milk, whose life sentence was commuted by then-Gov. Kristi Noem, is charged in the death of his 14-year-old niece, McKenna Wendel, whose body was found five days after she went missing. Milk faces five counts related to her death, including possession of cocaine that caused it, while another man, Jon Rogness, faces conspiracy and accessory charges.

Cameron Hamilton, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead FEMA, faces Senate questions as he seeks to lead an agency under scrutiny. Hamilton previously served as FEMA's temporary head in 2025 but was fired after defending the agency's existence. His nomination comes amid shifting administration stances on FEMA's future and challenges including staff departures and operational hurdles.

Haitian citizens beneficiaries of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program asked the Supreme Court to dismiss a dispute over the Trump administration's termination of the program for Haiti, citing new evidence that the administration relied on a false statement. The TPS, which allows Haitians to remain in the U.S. due to the 2010 earthquake's aftermath, was repeatedly extended until 2025 before the Trump administration sought to end it, prompting legal challenges alleging discriminatory intent.

Kristi Noem, Special Envoy to the Shield of the Americas, made an embarrassing geography mistake during a TV appearance discussing her new role. She incorrectly identified Washington's best friend in South America when questioned about the topic.

Kristi Noem faced criticism for an embarrassing mistake when asked about the US's best friend in South America. She discussed her new job after being fired by Trump.

U.S. Democratic lawmakers pledged to address delays in Puerto Rico's disaster recovery, citing issues with federal reimbursement and project approvals. They highlighted challenges caused by a former Homeland Security policy requiring manual approval for large expenditures and ongoing staffing shortages at FEMA, which hindered recovery efforts from hurricanes and earthquakes.

US Democratic lawmakers pledged to address delays in Puerto Rico's disaster recovery, including issues with federal funding approvals and FEMA staffing. The group met with mayors to discuss challenges caused by a policy requiring personal approval for large expenditures, which was later rescinded. Puerto Rico's recovery from hurricanes and earthquakes remains slow, with 30% of projects pending.

Sen. Rick Scott has lifted his hold on Coast Guard promotions to resolve a dispute with a Florida-based shipbuilder. The shipbuilder, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, halted work on Coast Guard cutters due to financial strain.

Tom Homan, a senior immigration official, was deployed by the Trump administration to Newark to negotiate with state and local officials over the Delaney Hall detention site. He secured agreements on protest zones and family visitation, reflecting his role as a key envoy in resolving immigration disputes in blue states.

The Supreme Court has historically shaped U.S. immigration law through racial categorizations, as seen in recent oral arguments in Mullin v. Doe regarding Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian nationals. Justice Samuel Alito questioned the boundaries of racial classifications during the case, referencing past rulings like Ozawa v. United States (1922), where the Court excluded Japanese individuals from naturalization based on race. The Department of Homeland Security's termination of TPS protections for 13 countries, including Haiti and Syria, was challenged as racially discriminatory.

The Alligator Alcatraz, an immigrant detention facility in the Florida Everglades, was built in 2025 by Florida for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Operated by private corporations, it has cost Florida over half a billion dollars after federal funding was delayed by an environmental lawsuit, with most detainees being non-criminal immigrants awaiting immigration proceedings.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is reviewing contracts pursued by Kristi Noem that may have had ties to her allies and will provide a list of contracts that have been nixed. Rep. Bennie Thompson questioned Mullin about the matter during a House panel session.

Senior officials remaining after former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's departure are linked to contracting practices under scrutiny, including $9 billion in non-competitive contracts during Noem's tenure. The Office of the Inspector General is auditing all such contracts from fiscal year 2025, and a $200M contract extension for a 'self-deportation' initiative awarded to Salus Worldwide Solutions faces legal challenges over limited bid notice.

South Dakota Republican businessman Toby Doeden advances to a July runoff in the gubernatorial primary, while the second contender remains undecided. Incumbent Gov. Larry Rhoden, a rancher and former legislative leader, still has a chance to secure a runoff spot depending on results. The race includes challenges from U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson and South Dakota House Speaker Jon Hansen.

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden advanced to a June 28 runoff against businessman Toby Doeden after no candidate secured 35% in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Rep. Dusty Johnson and House Speaker Jon Hansen did not qualify for the runoff.

Republican businessman Toby Doeden advances to a runoff in the South Dakota governor’s race. Current Governor Larry Rhoden is seeking a full term after replacing Kristi Noem.

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is facing a challenging primary election. He is competing against multiple Republican challengers in his effort to retain his position.

The Trump administration automatically extended Temporary Protected Status for about 11,000 Lebanese nationals, allowing them to stay and work in the U.S. until November 2026 due to ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon. This extension occurred because the Department of Homeland Security missed the deadline to decide on the TPS designation.

A satirical article from the perspective of a female member of Donald Trump's Cabinet, questioning the lack of gender balance in dismissals and highlighting the absurdity of the situation. The author critiques the selective firings of women while men remain in the Cabinet.

Republican Senator Thom Tillis criticized Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for providing poor advice to President Trump on Iran and for making former Cabinet member Kristi Noem appear more competent by comparison.

Republican Sen. Thom Tillis criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, comparing his performance unfavorably to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was dismissed by President Trump earlier this year. Tillis, who is retiring at the end of his term, questioned Hegseth's handling of the Iran war.