MAGA lawmakers have started to unleash their real thoughts on ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, The Daily Beast reported on Friday.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) signaled that she would seek a subpoena through the House Oversight Committee and has called for an investigation into Noem's spending after it was reported that Noem claimed under oath that President Donald Trump had signed off on a $220 million advertising campaign — but Trump said he never had. Mace suggested Noem "will pay repercussions for spending taxpayer funds on her 'personal PR.'”
“I don’t think she walks away from this, and she shouldn’t, because as Republicans, we need to hold our own accountable,” Mace told Newsmax in an interview Friday.
Mace said she didn't know about the pricey campaign until Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) asked Noem during the congressional hearing this week.
“I’m very grateful to Republican Senator Kennedy,” Mace said. “I had no idea how much money, hundreds of millions of dollars, that Kristi Noem had wasted on her personal PR for all those TV ads that are running across the country that have nothing to do with deporting illegal aliens.”
Other Republicans have also questioned Noem's leadership regarding the death of two Americans by ICE agents in Minneapolis, questions about FEMA disaster relief and the luxury planes she reportedly flew in with Corey Lewandowski, a special government worker and former Trump campaign aide whom she has been accused of having an affair with.
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) told WFMD there are "legit concerns" over Noem's time as DHS head.
“When there was a $200 million advertising [campaign], we should be better stewards of our money,” Bacon said. “I think the president probably saw a need for change.”