Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, center, speaks with Mayor Teresa Heitmann of Naples, Florida, and City Manager Gary Young on a damaged historic pier in the city on Aug. 29. Credit:Tia Dufour/Department of Homeland Security

May 4, 2026 - Washington, D.C. — On Friday, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, wrote to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding answers on why fired former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is still living in a taxpayer-funded United States Coast Guard residence nearly two months after President Trump fired her.

“Kristi Noem got fired in March and she is still living rent-free in a government home that belongs to the Coast Guard. The Trump Administration can’t explain why, nor do they seem to care. This same Administration threw out the Coast Guard Commandant with three hours of notice to make room for Noem, and even though she’s been fired from her government role, she won’t leave government housing. Secretary Mullin owes us answers and Noem must pack her bags and go,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia.

In the letter to Secretary Mullin, Ranking Member Garcia wrote, “On January 21, 2025, President Trump removed Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan from her position and evicted her from the historic Quarters 1 residence with only three hours’ notice, despite the Coast Guard giving Admiral Fagan a 60-day waiver to find new housing. Then-Secretary Noem moved into Quarters 1, reportedly without a requirement to pay rent or reimburse the federal government for her use of the residence. Although DHS’s spokesperson described Noem’s stay as temporary, Noem was living in Quarters 1 when President Trump fired her on March 5, 2026. On April 23, 2026, the Wall Street Journal reported that ex-Secretary Noem was still there, nearly two months after her firing.”

Source: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform-Democrats