Kristi Noem’s Replacement Grilled About Why She Is ‘still Living Rent-free’ In Waterfront Coast Guard Home

Kristi Noem’s replacement astatine nan Department of Homeland Security is facing caller questions complete his predecessor's controversial surviving arrangements. ​

Noem, who was ousted arsenic DHS caput successful March, is reportedly still occupying a taxpayer-funded U.S. Coast Guard home successful Washington, D.C.​

On May 1, Democratic Representative Robert Garcia sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin complete Noem’s continued occupancy of nan waterfront property.

​“Kristi Noem sewage fired successful March and she is still surviving rent-free successful a authorities location that belongs to nan Coast Guard,” Garcia said successful a statement, accompanying nan letter. “The Trump Administration can’t explicate why, nor do they look to care.”

The spot connected Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling was antecedently occupied by Linda Fagan, nan first female Coast Guard commandant. She was fired by President Trump connected January 21, 2025, conscionable a time aft his inauguration.​

Fagan was later evicted from nan spot pinch 3 hours’ notice, contempt being fixed a 60-day waiver to find caller lodging by nan Coast Guard, Garcia claims. ​

Noem, who is now nan typical envoy for nan Shield of nan Americas, moved into nan location successful August 2025.

On an section of Fox News’ Hannity, which aired that aforesaid month, she claimed that she moved into nan Coast Guard spot after specifications astir her residence successful nan Navy Yard neighbourhood were published by news organizations.

​“This aforesaid management threw retired nan Coast Guard Commandant pinch 3 hours of announcement to make room for Noem, and moreover though she’s been fired from her authorities role, she won’t time off authorities housing,” Garcia wrote successful nan statement.​

“Secretary Mullin owes america answers and Noem must battalion her bags and go.”

In nan letter, ​Garcia demanded that Mullin manus complete each archiving and communications concerning Noem’s residence astatine Quarters 1. He said that questions stay complete concerns of waste, fraud and maltreatment during Noem’s tenure. ​

Garcia besides claimed that Noem's remaining successful nan spot calls Mullin’s “stewardship of DHS’s taxpayer-funded resources” into question. ​

Previously, Noem told Congress that she pays rent to stay astatine nan facility.​

“Let maine explain a mates things,” she said. “I’m not successful nan Commandant’s house. I’m successful a Coast Guard House, but not nan Commandant’s house.”

Noem added, “And I will besides show you that I rent that facility. I rent wherever I stay, and salary individual dollars to do that.”

The existent Coast Guard commandant, Admiral Kevin Lunday, has told associates that he plans to move into nan location imminently, sources told The Wall Street Journal. ​

Currently, Lunday lives successful a location adjacent door, which is usually designated for nan vice commandant.

The Independent has contacted nan DHS for comment.