Trump Believed Noem's Dog Killing Was an 'Asset' for Cabinet Role, New Book Claims
A forthcoming book detailing the reported chaos within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that President Donald Trump viewed Secretary Kristi Noem's history of shooting her family dog as an 'asset' in selecting her for his cabinet. The excerpt from Undue Process: The Inside Story of Trump's Mass Deportation Program by Julia Ainsley of NBC, detailed in The Atlantic, describes how the president saw her killing a dog as a reason to appoint her to run his mass deportation agenda.
Noem's Infamous Tale of Responsibility
Noem's story became widely known in 2024 after she released her memoir, where she described shooting her 'untrainable' dog, Cricket. She framed it as a tale of being a 'responsible parent, dog owner, and neighbour.' The former South Dakota governor also admitted in her book to killing a family goat on the same day and stated she had previously put down three horses, all while asserting, 'We love animals.'
Despite facing sharp criticism and being mocked across the political spectrum, including on shows like South Park, Noem has risen to become one of the most powerful figures in the Trump administration. Her role has been central to implementing the president's sweeping immigration crackdown, which has so far resulted in the deaths of three U.S. citizens, according to reports.
Chaos and Power Struggles at DHS
Ainsley's book, based on extensive research within DHS, paints a picture of constant chaos at the department. Insiders have reported that Noem is more focused on her personal stardom than her official duties, with a penchant for staging photoshoots with officials holding guns. In one instance, she was roasted online for pointing a gun at an ICE agent's head during a photo-op.
Corey Lewandowski, hired by Noem as a 'special government employee,' has accumulated an unchecked level of power within DHS, the book alleges. He refers to himself as her 'chief advisor' and controls key decisions, including:
- What information reaches Noem's desk
- Who is granted meetings
- The type of detention centers to build
Lewandowski has been pushing for cheaply built facilities, such as tent cities in punishing locations. He was behind 'Alligator Alcatraz,' a site in the Florida Everglades where Amnesty International alleges detainees were shackled to cages and left outside for days.
Public Disapproval and Denials
Despite Trump's 2024 election win fueled by anti-immigration sentiment, recent NBC polling shows that 49 percent of Americans strongly disapprove of his handling of border security and immigration. The ICE has borne the brunt of public anger over these policies.
Noem and Lewandowski have denied all allegations of a romantic relationship, despite insiders telling Ainsley they 'don't hide it.' A DHS spokesperson dismissed the claims, stating, 'This Department doesn't waste time with salacious, baseless gossip.'
As the mass deportation force grows, the book highlights how personal histories and unchecked power are shaping policies with significant human costs, raising questions about accountability and governance in one of America's key security agencies.
