Why Trump really turned on Kristi Noem

Summary

Apple News Today – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Why Trump really turned on Kristi Noem
Date: March 6, 2026
Host: Cecilia Ley
Reporters/Guests: Michelle Hackman (Wall Street Journal), Parisa Hafezi (Reuters), Shakar Saman (Apple News), Donald Trump (clips and statements), Senator John Kennedy

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Episode Overview

This episode explores President Trump's decision to fire Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary in his second term, the implications for his administration, and the surrounding controversies. The episode also spans escalating Middle East tensions, a preview of the new Formula One season, and quick updates on recent headlines—from the Justice Department’s release of Epstein-related files to an Olympic curling scandal.

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Main Topic: Trump Fires Kristi Noem

Background and Context ([00:05]-[01:17])

• President Trump ousts Kristi Noem in the first major cabinet shakeup of his second term.
• Noem’s tenure covered controversial immigration crackdowns and efforts to overhaul disaster response amid major weather events.

Key Discussion Points

Growing Frustration and Pressure to Remove Noem ([01:17]-[01:46])

• Michelle Hackman: "There has been frustration growing with Kristi Noem for months. It all started, I would say, about a year ago when these ads of Noem started appearing on places like Fox News. They were prominent glossy ads of her. They looked like campaign ads..."
  [01:17-01:36]
• The ad campaign targeted border crossers but was broadcast in English on channels unlikely to reach migrants.

The Controversial Ad Campaign ([01:56]-[03:13])

• A $220 million border security ad campaign, featuring Noem herself, becomes a focal point at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
• [02:10-02:42] Senator John Kennedy questions whether Trump approved the expenditure.
  • Kennedy: "It puts the President in a terribly awkward spot...I just. I'm not saying you're not telling the truth...it's just hard for me to believe..."
  • Noem: "Yes, sir. We went through the legal processes. Did it correct?"
• After the hearing, Trump told Reuters he was unaware of the campaign, prompting a DHS watchdog investigation into the contract.

Broader Controversies and Internal Criticism ([03:13]-[04:19])

• Noem’s management drew criticism after high-profile shootings and mishandling of personnel, especially concerning her advisor Corey Lewandowski.
• Michelle Hackman: "He's sort of been her enforcer, her chief of staff. He's been a source of fear and frustration across the Department of Homeland Security." [03:56]

Spending Scandals and Security Concerns ([04:19]-[05:15])

• Noem was criticized for spending $70 million on a luxury jet, reportedly used more for personal and advisor travel than official deportations.
• Implemented airport policies that created security risks, such as allowing non-PreCheck passengers to keep shoes on—machines couldn't scan shoes properly.
• Suppressed IG (Inspector General) findings about these risks by increasing the classification and resisting publication.
  • Michelle Hackman: "...when Kristi Noem's office heard about it, instead of actually addressing the problem, they basically forbade the findings of the IG from being released." [04:49]

Noem's Next Steps and Successor ([05:15])

• Noem will be demoted to a role within a security initiative.
• Trump nominates Senator Markwayne Mullen (R-OK) as her replacement, pending Senate confirmation.

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International Headlines

Middle East Escalates: Israel, Iran, Lebanon ([05:15]-[09:41])

• Israel bombards Beirut in response to Hezbollah rocket attacks; over 100 killed since Hezbollah entered the conflict.
• Iran’s missile facilities hit hard; Trump claims desire to influence Iran's leadership succession.
  • Donald Trump: "When we are finished, take over your government, it will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance." [07:19]
  • Expressed later preference for a moderate within the Iranian government, but acknowledged most suitable candidates might be dead.

Who Will Lead Iran? Insights from Reuters ([08:13]-[09:41])

• Parisa Hafezi: "In the complex political system of the Islamic Republic, major decisions are often made behind the scenes before any formal announcement." [08:13]
• Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the supreme leader, is a controversial frontrunner; seen as hardline and opposed to engagement with the West.
  • Parisa Hafezi: "He has always worked behind the scenes. He's one of the most influential people in the Islamic Republic." [08:32]
  • His succession could trigger public resentment as it would seem like dynastic rule, counter to 1979’s revolutionary ideals.
  • "Mojtaba's elevation could also fuel anger among Iranians who are already deeply frustrated with the political system." [09:30]
• Trump and others fear Iran’s leadership could remain as uncompromising as the current regime.
  • Donald Trump: "I guess the worst case would be we do this and then somebody takes over who's as bad as the previous person, right?" [09:52]

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Sports Feature: The 2026 Formula One Season ([10:17]-[12:18])

• F1 season kicks off in Australia with the biggest rules overhaul in recent history: new engines, technical resets, and opportunities for surprise.
  • Shakar Saman: "The season's kicking off in Australia and the big thing...every few years F1 totally overhauls all of the regulations to kind of tighten the field together." [10:27]
• Mercedes, historically dominant after rule changes, could be favorites, but Ferrari and other teams present intrigue.
  • Ferrari features a strong driver lineup: Charles Leclerc and newly-signed Lewis Hamilton.
  • Shakar Saman: "Mercedes could be the favorite going to this year. It seems like Ferrari could be frisky...but the really truly exciting thing is the not knowing." [11:56]
• The season’s unpredictability is highlighted as the main draw for fans.

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Other Headlines ([12:18]-[15:12])

• Epstein Files Released: Justice Department publishes previously withheld memos from a woman accusing Epstein and Trump of abuse in the 1980s. White House calls claims "completely baseless."
• Paralympics & Curling Scandal: U.S. seeks medals; Olympic officials investigating stolen curling stones after an earlier cheating controversy.
• United Airlines Policy: New rules ban aircraft passengers from playing device audio without headphones.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Michelle Hackman (on Noem’s ad campaign):
  "There has been frustration growing with Kristi Noem for months. It all started...about a year ago when these ads of Noem started appearing on places like Fox News." [01:17]

• Senator John Kennedy (on the ad budget):
  "It puts the President in a terribly awkward spot...I'm not saying you're not telling the truth...it's just hard for me to believe..." [02:50]

• Donald Trump (on Iran’s leadership changes):
  "When we are finished, take over your government, it will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance." [07:19]
  "I guess the worst case would be we do this and then somebody takes over who's as bad as the previous person, right?" [09:52]

• Parisa Hafezi (on Mojtaba Khamenei):
  "He has always worked behind the scenes. He's one of the most influential people in the Islamic Republic." [08:32]
  "Mojtaba's elevation could also fuel anger among Iranians who are already deeply frustrated." [09:30]

• Shakar Saman (on F1 season):
  "The really truly exciting thing is the not knowing. It's the surprise. How often do you get that?" [11:56]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Noem’s Dismissal & Cabinet Shakeup: [00:05] - [05:15]
• Middle East Conflict Escalates (Israel, Iran, Lebanon): [05:15] - [09:41]
• Who Will Succeed Iran’s Supreme Leader? [08:13] - [09:41]
• Formula One 2026 Season Preview: [10:17] - [12:18]
• Headlines (Epstein Files, Paralympics, United Policy): [12:18] - [15:12]

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This episode provides a comprehensive look at major political shakeups, growing international concerns, and a sports season defined by unpredictability, all through the lens of some of the world’s leading journalists.

Transcript

[Cecilia Ley]

Good morning. Trump fires Kristi Noem in a major cabinet shakeup.

[Michelle Hackman]

He's been under pressure from his top advisors, from immigration hawks, from people at DHS for months and months to get rid of Noem. And we're only now seeing him cave to that pressure.

[Cecilia Ley]

The Wall Street Journal explains why the President turned on his loyal Homeland Security secretary. Israel bombards Beirut as the Middle east conflict widens and as Trump demands a Today in Iran's new leader. Reuters bureau chief for the country explains who might be next in line. It's Friday, March 6th. I'm Cecilia Ley, and this is Apple News. Today, Kristi Noem is out. On Thursday, President Trump announced he was firing Noem, marking the first major cabinet level shakeup of his second term. Noem led the department through a set of wide ranging and controversial tasks, like implementing the President's immigration crackdown and attempting to overhaul the disaster agency amid major weather events. Michelle Hackman covers immigration for the Wall Street Journal and reported on the ongoing issues with Noem and dhs.

[Michelle Hackman]

There has been frustration growing with Kristi Noem for months. It all started, I would say, about a year ago when these ads of Noem started appearing on places like Fox News. They were prominent glossy ads of her. They looked like campaign ads of her saying, you know, encouraging people to self dep.

[Cecilia Ley]

If you are considering entering America illegally, don't even think about it. Let me be clear. If you come to our country and you break our laws, we will hunt you down.

[Michelle Hackman]

And the problem people had with them was that they were in English and they were not airing places that typically people in the country illegally would be watching TV.

[Cecilia Ley]

The border security ad campaign reportedly cost $220 million, and it was a major subject of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing earlier this week. It was brought up in this exchange with Republican Senator John Kennedy.

[Senator John Kennedy]

And you're saying that you're testifying that President Trump approved this ahead of time? Is that my understanding?

[Cecilia Ley]

We had conversations about making sure that we were telling people, no, ma', am, I'm asking you.

[Senator John Kennedy]

Sorry to interrupt, but the President approved ahead of time. You spending $220 million running TV ads across the country in which you are featured prominently?

[Cecilia Ley]

Yes, sir. We went through the legal processes. Did it correct?

[Senator John Kennedy]

Yes, he did. Yes.

[Cecilia Ley]

Noem claimed that the ads had been effective, but Kennedy said they were only good at building up Noem's own name recognition.

[Senator John Kennedy]

I mean, to me, it puts the President in a terribly awkward spot. And I just. I'm not saying you're not telling the truth. It's just hard for me to believe Noam, the president, as I do that you said, Mr. President, here's some ads I've cut and I'm going to spend $220 million running them that he would have agreed to that.

[Cecilia Ley]

After the testimony, Trump told Reuters that he didn't know anything about the ad campaign. A watchdog at DHS is reportedly investigating the contract and whether it went through the standard bidding process. But the ads were just one issue. Over the course of Trump's second term, Noem emerged as one of Trump's most prominent senior officials, often attracting negative press attention and criticism from her own party's senators. After the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Preddy in Minnesota, some Republicans called for her to go. Her management of DHS personnel came under scrutiny too. In particular the role of her top advisor, Corey Lewandowski, who's also expected to leave dhs.

[Michelle Hackman]

And he's sort of been her enforcer, her chief of staff. He's been a source of fear and frustration across the Department of Homeland Security.

[Cecilia Ley]

The Journal and others have reported that the two were in a relationship. When she was asked about it during this week's hearing, she dismissed the question as, quote, tabloid garbage. But scrutiny of the pair has heightened this past year, especially over department spending

[Michelle Hackman]

she spent $70 million on. It was a luxury 737 Max with a private room in back. And when this became public, it was sort of earmarke for high profile deportations. But it was something that actually Noam was using for her and her top advisor, Corey Lewandowski to just travel around the country.

[Cecilia Ley]

Then there were announcements that raised significant security concerns, like the implementation of an airport policy where people without TSA PreCheck were permitted to keep their shoes on as they passed through security.

[Michelle Hackman]

And those machines actually don't fully have the ability to scan shoes. And so she inadvertently created this new security gap in the system. That was something that the IG investigated and found. And when Kristi Noem's office heard about it, instead of actually addressing the problem, they basically forbade the findings of the IG from being released. They gave it a higher level of classification and fought us tooth and nail from publishing it.

[Cecilia Ley]

Noem is being demoted to a new role that is part of a security initiative. Trump said he wants Republican Oklahoma Senator Mark Wayne Mullen to fill the role as head of dhs. And the change would be effective at the end of the month and Mullen would require Senate confirmation. Six days into so called Operation Epic Fury and the conflict in the Middle east keeps escalating and the death toll keeps rising. Late on Thursday and into the early hours of Friday, Israel unleashed a major bombardment in Lebanon, heard above the skies of Beir. The IDF targeted a Hezbollah stronghold after the Iran proxy group sent rockets into Israel. According to the Lebanese health ministry, over 100 people have been killed since Hezbollah entered the war late Sunday. Meanwhile, Iran continues to take heavy fire. The Washington Post reports satellite imagery showing extensive damage to Iran's missile production complex. And the Israelis say they've knocked out 80% of the country's air defenses. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed concerns about possible shortages of munitions and said that firepower over Iran was, quote, about to surge dramatically.

[Shakar Saman]

If you think you've seen something, just wait. The amount of combat power that's still flowing, that's still coming, that we'll be able to project over Iran is a multiples of what it currently is right now.

[Cecilia Ley]

As Iranians endure more bombings, uncertainty looms over who will run the country next. President Trump wants to have a say on who that might be. Yesterday, he told Axios he has to be involved in the appointment of any successor, like he was with the leadership change in Venezuela this past week. Though, Trump's position on the matter has seemingly evolved. At first, after the initial strikes, he called for revolutionaries to seize their country.

[Donald Trump]

When we are finished, take over your government, it will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance

[Cecilia Ley]

for generations later, he suggested a moderate from inside the government could be acceptable, showing little enthusiasm for the former shah's son who currently lives in the US

[Donald Trump]

it would seem to me that somebody from within maybe would be more appropriate. I've said that.

[Cecilia Ley]

But he also acknowledged that most of the people from within who he thinks could be suitable were now gone.

[Donald Trump]

We had some in mind from that group that is dead, and now we have another group. They may be dead also.

[Cecilia Ley]

One person Trump did take a hard line on yesterday was the man currently seen as the front runner, Ayatollah Khamenei's son, Moshtabah Khamenei. Trump said it would be unacceptable, but also conceded it was the most likely outcome. For now.

[Parisa Hafezi]

In the complex political system of the Islamic Republic, major decisions are often made behind the scenes before any formal announcement.

[Cecilia Ley]

Parisa Hafezi is the Iran bureau chief for Reuters. She told us that Mojtabak Khamenei has worked behind the scenes rather than holding an official position.

[Parisa Hafezi]

He's young, in late 50s. He has always worked behind the scenes. He's one of the most influential people in the Islamic Republic.

[Cecilia Ley]

But if a large body of clerics, the so called assembly of Experts, pick Moshe Bahmane, it could be seen as a message of defiance to the US and Israel and an attempt to show that the Harmony Hardline Revolutionary Guard was still in charge. Hafezi told us he is widely seen as skeptical of engagement with Western powers and committed to maintaining the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic. But opting for Mojtaba could cause problems with the Iranian public.

[Parisa Hafezi]

Many argue that installing the supreme leader's son would resemble dynastic succession, something that runs against the revolutionary ideals that toppled the monarchy in 1979.

[Cecilia Ley]

Others could see it as an attempt to maintain a status quo rule that has brought severe economic pain and bloodshed.

[Parisa Hafezi]

Mujaba's elevation could also fuel anger among Iranians who are already deeply frustrated with the political system and increasingly demand fundamental change.

[Cecilia Ley]

Trump acknowledged this week that there was still the distinct possibility that Iran's successor will prove to be just as hardline and uncompromising as the late Ayatollah.

[Donald Trump]

I guess the worst case would be we do this and then somebody takes over who's as bad as the previous person, right? That could happen. We don't want that to happen. It would probably be the worst. You go through this and then in five years you realize you put somebody in who was no better.

[Cecilia Ley]

This weekend marks the start of Formula one, so we called up Apple News sports editor Shakar Saman to talk about what to expect on the grid in 2026.

[Shakar Saman]

The season's kicking off in Australia and the big thing that we need to talk about is the rule changes every few years. F1 totally overhauls all of the regulations to kind of tighten the field together. Sometimes to change the style of racing. In this case it was to allow for new teams and new engine manufacturers to come in to kind of level the playing field in a way.

[Cecilia Ley]

ESPN calls this year's changes the biggest in F1's history and chief among them are new engines, which will be radically different.

[Shakar Saman]

The last time we had a major engine change in 2014, Mercedes came in and won like eight straight constructors world championships 2014, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, all the way through 21. Lewis Hamilton won seven world championships in that span, right, like they were dominant.

[Cecilia Ley]

Simon says. Mercedes looks strong again this year, but the engine changes put things up for grabs and we don't really know what the pecking order will look like quite yet.

[Shakar Saman]

We kind of have a rough idea after the preseason testing, then there are some things that might be going on in the background, right Like Ferrari with a driver lineup as strong as anyone in Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton and a car that while definitely does not seem to have the same top end talent as say, the Mercedes as far as the engine goes, has a couple of quirks and a couple tricks up its sleeve that might put these guys in position to win a bunch of races or win a championship.

[Cecilia Ley]

As for what to watch out for, Simon says the mystery of it all is what makes this season so intriguing.

[Shakar Saman]

I am excited for a total reset. I'm excited to not know what's going to happen. I have an idea of the teams I think that are best. It seems like Mercedes could be the favorite going to this year. It seems like Ferrari could be frisky. McLaren Red Bull have their ups and their downs, but the really truly exciting thing is the not knowing. It's the surprise. How often do you get that?

[Cecilia Ley]

To get the latest Formula One updates from every race, you can tap sports in the Apple News app. And finally, a few other stories we're following. The Justice Department released FBI documents late yesterday describing several interviews with a woman who made an uncorroborated accusation against President Trump as part of their release of Epstein files. The FBI had already released documents describing the existence of the memos, but they said these pages had previously been withheld. The notes recounted 2019 FBI interviews with the woman who said she had been sexually assaulted by Epstein and Trump. The accusations date back to the 1980s, when she was a teenager, while the FBI interviewed her four times. The Justice Department's previous release included a summary of only one of the interviews, which was related to an accusation against Epstein. On Thursday, the department said those files had been incorrectly coded as duplicative and therefore were inadvertently not published, along with other investigative documents related to Epstein. In a statement on Thursday, the White House press secretary, Caroline Levitt, described the claims from the FBI interviews as, quote, completely baseless accusations backed by zero credible evidence. The Winter Paralympics in Milan Cortina are underway, where Team USA will be looking to secure medals in games like hockey and paranordic skiing. But much like the Winter Games that just wrapped up, a curling scandal has entered the conversation. Two stones that were set to be used in the wheelchair curling event that started Wednesday have been stolen. Olympic officials are investigating the theft and two backup stones are now in play. During the Olympic Games. Last month, a cheating scandal hung over the curling competition after multiple athletes were accused of what is known as a double touch violation and United Airlines is making a rule change that could make your next flight a little more peaceful. United announced it will ban passengers who don't wear headphones while playing audio from their devices. The airline had a similar rule in place already, but the newly toughened up language tells passengers they could be removed or denied boarding if they don't comply. So for anyone hoping to treat fellow passengers to their favorite playlist, you've been warned. You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app. And if you're already listening in the news app right now, stick around for the latest episode of Apple News In Conversation this week, guest host Sam Sanders spoke to New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser about the conflict in Iran and the limits of presidential powers. So they let a war go on

[Michelle Hackman]

for two full days without the leadership of the Pentagon speaking to the American people again. I've watched decades of national security leaders in both parties in Washington.

[Cecilia Ley]

This is not how it was supposed to work in America. If you're listening in the podcast app, you can follow Apple News in Conversation to find that episode or come back to the Apple News Today feed tomorrow. All new episodes of In Conversation will be available there on Saturdays, too. Enjoy the weekend, and I'll be back with the news on Monday.