New Coast Guard allegations add to Kristi Noem’s growing list of troubles

The beleaguered DHS secretary didn't need another round of damaging allegations, but she's facing some anyway.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 TODAY'S TOP MADDOWBLOG POSTS New Coast Guard allegations add to Kristi Noem's growing list of troubles New Coast Guard allegations add to Kristi Noem's growing list of troubles The beleaguered DHS secretary didn't need another round of damaging allegations, but she's facing some anyway. MORE Republicans don't just want seniors working later, they also want kids working earlier The more that GOP officials scramble to remove immigrants from the workforce, the more pressure they'll feel to replace those workers with children. MORE Republicans don't just want seniors working later, they also want kids working earlier The more that GOP officials scramble to remove immigrants from the workforce, the more pressure they'll feel to replace those workers with children. MORE 'Their plan backfired': Colbert's James Talarico interview generates large online audience Far more people watched the interview on YouTube than probably would have seen it if it had aired on CBS without controversy. MORE 'Their plan backfired': Colbert's James Talarico interview generates large online audience Far more people watched the interview on YouTube than probably would have seen it if it had aired on CBS without controversy. MORE Hegseth's ongoing Pentagon purge continues to destabilize the military The sheer volume of U.S. military leaders who have left Hegseth's Defense Department, through either firings or resignations, is extraordinary. MORE Hegseth's ongoing Pentagon purge continues to destabilize the military The sheer volume of U.S. military leaders who have left Hegseth's Defense Department, through either firings or resignations, is extraordinary. MORE MORE FROM THE MADDOWBLOG Democrats launch investigation into Trump's 'Bridgegate' controversy DHS' controversial scrutiny of protesters and critics draws fresh attention The problem with the White House's pardon process: There doesn't appear to be a process Key questions go unanswered as U.S. military strikes on civilian boats claim more lives Hegseth welcomes radical Christian nationalist to lead an official Pentagon prayer service WEB EXCLUSIVE BONUS CLIP Rubio beclowns himself dancing to Trump's tune; U.S. security suffers with Rubio's distractions Rachel Maddow compares Marco Rubio's past statements about the damage Victor Orban posed to democracy in Hungary to his recent obsequious statements to Orban's face as Donald Trump's secretary of state. While Rubio is compromising himself in his secretary of state job, he is neglecting his responsibilities in one of this other four Trump administration jobs, running the National Security Council. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up to follow it yourself or send this sign-up link to someone you know would appreciate it. NEWS TIPS? SEND IT TO RACHEL FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM RACHEL MADDOW ON BLUESKY 229 West 43rd St. New York, NY 10036 UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER