President Donald Trump took aim at the multi-million dollar ad featuring now former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, which landed her at the center of a new controversy.
In his first comments since Noem's ouster, Trump said he "wasn't thrilled" with the campaign, adding: "I spent less money than that to become president," he told NBC News.
Trump had also rejected being aware that such an amount of money would be spent on the campaign, contradicting Noem's claim that he gave it the green light.
The National Review had detailed that Trump was "privately furious" at Noem over the claim, which cost $220 million and was subcontracted to one of her allies.
The official has faced several controversies throughout her tenure, including one about strained relationships with the U.S. Coast Guard over different decisions. One of them involved a verbal directive aimed at redirecting resources away from a search-and-rescue mission for a missing service member.
Noem could also face an impeachment vote, as over a hundred Democrats in the House signed on to such a petition earlier this year. The articles in question accuse Noem of three counts: Obstruction of Congress, Violation of public trust and Self-dealing.
The first one involves cases when lawmakers were prevented from entering DHS facilities and withheld congressionally appropriated disaster relief funding. The second is in regards ICE's denial of due process and violation of First and Fourth amendments to detainees. And the third involves the mentioned contract.
Trump has nominated GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace Noem as DHS Secretary. He praised the lawmaker, saying he is a "big fan of the senator from Oklahoma."
Mullin, who has no law enforcement experience, told press that he was "super excited about this opportunity" and his focus is to "keep the homeland secure."
He added that he will seek to "try to earn everybody's vote," including those of Democrats. "If they have real concerns I'm going to listen to it, I'm going to be practical," he added.
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