How Kristi Noem got herself fired

And DOJ releases new Epstein files tied to unsubstantiated Trump allegations |

VIEW IN BROWSER MS NOW DAILY Understand today's news Friday, Mar. 06, 2026   THE LATEST Kristi Noem forgot the most important part of serving Donald Trump By Hayes Brown Kristi Noem forgot the most important part of serving Donald Trump By Hayes Brown Kristi Noem's tenure atop the Department of Homeland Security ended abruptly Thursday after months of speculation about her future. Noem spent years crafting herself into the perfect avatar of political womanhood in the age of MAGA ascendance. Noem now finds herself plummeting back toward Earth, relegated to a sinecure position that keeps her beholden to President Donald Trump, but far removed from the lofty heights of power and influence that she'd reached.   There is little to praise of Noem's time at DHS that isn't likewise damning. She successfully positioned herself to be the figurehead of the president's central policy, the mass deportation of millions of immigrants while their rights were summarily trampled. And she oversaw a massive influx of funding for her still burgeoning department, even as she reportedly micromanaged spending it with the controversial assistance of her rumored paramour slash chief advisor, Corey Lewandowski. (Both have repeatedly denied having a relationship, despite numerous reports to the contrary.)   An absurd focus on style over substance is a hallmark across the Trump administration, but Noem took that disparity to another level. And just months into the job last year, she already appeared over her head at the sprawling department she managed. She did little to make up that ground in the time since, instead whipsawing from crisis to crisis, many of her own making, especially those contained internally within DHS.   This is a preview of Hayes Brown's latest column. Read the full column here. TOP STORIES MICHAEL A. COHEN The antisemitic ripple effects of Marco Rubio's early Iran war justifications The secretary of state's comments about how the U.S. came to attack Iran — as well as some reactions from the left — could play a role in promoting antisemitism today. Read more. STEVE BENEN GOP's Tony Gonzales, short on friends and options, ends his re-election bid in Texas The entirety of the House Republican leadership called on the Texan "to withdraw from his race for re-election." He grudgingly took the advice. Read more. ALI VITALI On Iran, Democrats thread the needle with a single word Support for disrupting Iran's regime, opposition to skirting Congress: Democrats are relying on a conjunction to navigate the political minefield. Read more. JORDAN RUBIN Florida Bar takes a step against Lindsey Halligan it wouldn't take against Pam Bondi The Florida Bar previously said it wouldn't probe Attorney General Pam Bondi because she's a current constitutional officer. Read more. TOP VIDEOS THE WEEKNIGHT DOJ releases new Epstein files tied to unsubstantiated Trump allegations WATCH NOW MORNING JOE Paxton hints he could drop out of the Texas Republican runoff WATCH NOW MORNING JOE UAE moves to freeze Iranian assets WATCH NOW THE BRIEFING WITH JEN PSAKI 'We will never forget': Walz says Minnesota isn't done with Noem WATCH NOW MORE FROM MS NOW Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels are analyzing how culture and politics collide in their new original podcast, "Clock It with Symone & Eugene." In episode four, Ayman Mohyeldin joins to break down the Texas primary results and the conflict in the Middle East. Then they're joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, who says an American president starting trouble at home and around the globe is nothing new. Listen now and subscribe to MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts for ad-free listening and bonus content. Tomorrow, catch the premiere of "Crooked on MS NOW," a new special weekly series that highlights the smartest, funniest, and most talked-about moments of the week from Crooked Media's chart-topping podcasts. Watch "Crooked on MS NOW" premiering tomorrow at 9 p.m. Eastern. 229 West 43rd St. New York, NY 10036 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE