Even Republicans are calling for Kristi Noem’s expulsion, but Donald Trump isn’t thinking about it.Image: keystone
analysis
There have been hardly any personnel changes in Donald Trump’s second term in office. The president even sticks by controversial members of the government. There are reasons for this.
February 4, 2026, 3:00 p.mFebruary 4, 2026, 3:00 p.m
After the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Kristi Noem herself came under fire. Donald Trump’s Secretary of Homeland Security with the botoxed one Mar-a-Lago Face (nickname “ICE-Barbie”) had initially accused the victims of “domestic terrorism” and the fatal shots were justified as self-defense.
In both cases, but especially in Alex Pretti’s case, that was a lie, as videos show. As a result, even Republican politicians called for Noem’s resignation, including Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina and his counterpart Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Democrat John Fetterman described them as “stupid and totally incompetent”.
Video: watson/Lucas Zollinger
But the president is not thinking about firing the former governor of South Dakota. “I think she did a very good job,” Trump said. However, he basically took Kristi Noem out of the “firing line”. Instead of raids against migrants, she recently focused on the consequences of last week’s violent winter storm.
Mike Waltz as the only “departure”
This may be part of Trump’s strategy to “de-escalate” the situation after the fatal shooting in Minneapolis. But it also fits with his second term in office, in which there have been hardly any departures of high-ranking members of the government. The contrast to the first presidency could hardly be greater. Back then there was a lot of coming and going in the White House.
But in the first year of Trump 2.0, only Mike Waltz had to resign as national security advisor. He stumbled across the “Signalgate” affair. And even he wasn’t actually fired. Rather, he immediately received his position as UN ambassador a new, prestigious job. Other controversial members of the government were also able to stay in office.
Chaotic people in the Pentagon and FBI
This includes “Minister of War” Pete Hegseth, who is responsible for Signalgate and the killing of alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean came under massive criticism. He is considered to be just as overwhelmed as FBI Director Kash Patel, who, according to the New York Times Magazine, caused chaos in the federal police. that endangers the country’s security.
Donald Trump is unhappy with Pam Bondi and still sticks with her.Image: keystone
Justice Minister Pam Bondi is also under pressure. She has turned her nominally largely independent agency into Donald Trump’s law firm. Nevertheless, the president has repeatedly complained about Bondi in privatereported the Wall Street Journal, because she wasn’t taking tough enough action against his “enemies” for his taste.
You are (not) fired!
She is still able to stay in office, which is remarkable for a US president who became a reality star and national celebrity with the phrase “You are fired”. And who demands loyalty from others but rarely reciprocates it. The US media sees such unusual restraint the usually well-informed portal Axios various reasons:
- Stability: After his turbulent first term, Trump wanted to ensure stability and continuity. That’s why unconditional loyalty is more important to him than competence.
- Strength: Donald Trump hates being perceived as weak. For him, it is out of the question to simply give in to controversy and help the Democrats and the media succeed.
- Senate: Unlike a year ago, the confirmation of new government members by the Senate is no longer likely to be a “walk in the park” for Trump. More moderate Republicans like Thillis, Murkowski or Susan Collins from Maine could interfere with the midterm elections in November and embarrass Trump.
Kevin Warsh is unlikely to face much resistance in the Senate.Image: keystone
The rather surprising nomination of Kevin Warsh as the new head of the Federal Reserve Bank could have taken place against this background. With his previous career, he offers the Senate significantly fewer targets than Trump’s economic advisor Kevin Hassett. In fact, Warsh’s confirmation is likely to proceed largely quietly in Congress.
Trump’s concerns are certainly not unfounded, especially after the election that shocked Republicans a new Democratic senator from the state of Texas. Looking ahead to the midterms, some GOP politicians may come to the conclusion that they can’t just look at Trump’s MAGA crowd, but rather have to score points at the center.
It’s not a good time for personnel experiments, which is why Kristi Noem is likely to stay in office. For once it pays off to be loyal to Donald Trump, says Axios. However, no job is really safe with this notoriously unpredictable president.