Kristi Noem's replacement at the Department of Homeland Security is facing new questions over the former secretary's controversial living arrangements. Noem, who was ousted as DHS secretary in March, is reportedly still occupying a taxpayer-funded U.S. Coast Guard home in Washington, D.C.
On May 1, Democratic Representative Robert Garcia sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin regarding Noem's continued occupancy of the waterfront property on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. In a fiery statement accompanying the letter, Garcia said: "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."
The property was previously occupied by Linda Fagan, the first female Coast Guard commandant, who was fired by President Trump on January 21, 2025, just a day after his inauguration. Garcia claims that Fagan was evicted from the property with only three hours' notice, despite the Coast Guard granting her a 60-day waiver to find new housing.
Noem, now serving as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, moved into the home in August 2025. On a Fox News Hannity episode that same month, she explained that she relocated to the Coast Guard property after news organizations published details about her residence in the Navy Yard neighbourhood.
"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," Garcia wrote. "Secretary Mullin owes us answers and Noem must pack her bags and go."
In his letter, Garcia demanded that Mullin hand over all documentation and communications concerning Noem's residence at Quarters 1. He cited concerns over waste, fraud, and abuse during Noem's tenure, and argued that Noem's continued occupancy calls into question Mullin's "stewardship of DHS's taxpayer-funded resources."
Previously, Noem told Congress that she pays rent to remain at the facility. "Let me clarify a couple things," she said. "I'm not in the Commandant's house. I'm in a Coast Guard House, but not the Commandant's house. And I will also tell you that I rent that facility. I rent where I stay, and pay personal dollars to do that."
The current Coast Guard commandant, Admiral Kevin Lunday, has told associates that he plans to move into the house imminently, sources told The Wall Street Journal. Currently, Lunday lives in a home next door, which is usually designated for the vice commandant. The Independent has contacted the DHS for comment.
