New Coast Guard Allegations Deepen Kristi Noem’s Troubles at DHS

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing intensifying scrutiny as multiple reports depict turmoil inside the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and strained relations with the U.S. Coast Guard. Recent polling shows nearly 60% of respondents believe Noem should be removed from office, and 187 House Democrats now back an impeachment resolution.

Last week, The Wall Street Journal published a report describing what it called “constant chaos” inside DHS under Noem’s leadership. That piece — which MS NOW has not independently verified — alleges that Noem and her senior adviser, Corey Lewandowski, have berated senior staff, ordered polygraph tests for employees they distrusted and dismissed personnel. One anecdote in the Journal’s report says Lewandowski fired a U.S. Coast Guard pilot after a blanket belonging to Noem was left on a plane.

This week, NBC News, citing four sources, reported a separate and potentially more consequential dispute between Noem and Coast Guard officials. According to that account, tensions increased after a 23-year-old Coast Guardsman fell overboard from the cutter Waesche into the Pacific Ocean on Feb. 4 of last year, shortly after Noem’s Senate confirmation.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on May 24, 2025 in Bahrain.(Alex Brandon / Getty Images)

The Coast Guard rapidly deployed ships and aircraft to search for the missing sailor. NBC’s reporting says Noem learned that a Coast Guard C-130 that had been scheduled to transport detained migrants from California to Texas was among the aircraft participating in the search. The report alleges Noem verbally instructed the acting Coast Guard commandant to pull that C-130 from the search so it could be redeployed for migration transfers; Adm. Kevin Lunday is reported to have complied and informed the National Command Center.

According to the account, other Coast Guard assets continued searching while officials scrambled to find replacement aircraft for the migrant transfers. The missing guardsman was never found. DHS has disputed NBC’s version of events. As a department spokesperson told NBC, “The entire premise of your story is incorrect.” MS NOW has not independently verified either the Journal’s or NBC’s reporting, and there are differing narratives about the incident.

DHS Statement: "The entire premise of your story is incorrect." — DHS spokesperson (as reported to NBC News)

Observers say the episode, verified or not, contributed to a negative impression of Noem among some Coast Guard officials and added to broader concerns about her leadership at DHS. The reporting has also prompted public and political calls for accountability, with commentators — including MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow — questioning how Noem remains in her role.

These allegations add to a string of controversies that critics cite when pressing for oversight or removal. The facts in the Journal and NBC accounts remain reported claims; independent confirmation is lacking at this time.