Mace Thanks Trump

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) says President Donald Trump made the “right call” by removing Kristi Noem from her leadership role at the Department of Homeland Security after controversy erupted over a massive government advertising campaign tied to border security messaging.

The South Carolina Republican voiced her support for the president during a Friday interview on Newsmax, saying she trusts Trump’s judgment and believes the leadership change will strengthen the administration’s efforts on immigration enforcement and national security.

“I trust President Trump and the decision he made,” Mace said during the interview. “He always puts the American people first.”

Trump Announces Leadership Change at the Department of Homeland Security

President Trump announced Thursday that Noem would step down as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and transition into a new role serving as special envoy for an initiative called “The Shield of the Americas.”

To lead DHS going forward, Trump tapped Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), signaling a significant shift in leadership at one of the most important agencies responsible for protecting the U.S. border and enforcing immigration law.

The Department of Homeland Security oversees several key agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

With border security remaining one of the top priorities of the Trump administration, many Republican lawmakers say the leadership transition could help sharpen the department’s focus.

$220 Million Advertising Campaign Sparks Questions

The controversy surrounding Noem intensified this week after a heated Senate hearing revealed conflicting accounts about a $220 million advertising campaign promoting border security initiatives.

During testimony, Noem told lawmakers that President Trump had personally approved the campaign.

However, Trump later told NBC News that he had not authorized the spending and was unaware the campaign had moved forward.

“I wasn’t thrilled about it,” Trump said, explaining that he did not know the project had been approved.

The expensive advertising campaign had already drawn criticism from several lawmakers who questioned how the contract was awarded.

According to critics, the contract reportedly bypassed the typical competitive bidding process and was awarded to a firm with political connections to Noem.

Senator John Kennedy Presses for Answers

The issue came to a head during questioning from Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who challenged Noem during the Senate hearing about the advertising campaign and the approval process.

After the hearing, Kennedy suggested that his understanding of the situation differed from what Noem had claimed and from what President Trump later stated publicly.

Mace said Friday she was grateful Kennedy raised the issue and pushed for more transparency.

“I’m very thankful Senator Kennedy asked those questions,” Mace said.

Mace Criticizes Spending on “Personal PR”

Mace also criticized the scale of the advertising campaign, arguing that the spending appeared to focus more on personal promotion rather than concrete immigration enforcement efforts.

“I had no idea that hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars had been spent on television ads that looked more like personal PR,” Mace said.

According to the congresswoman, the ads running across the country did little to address the core issue of deporting illegal immigrants or strengthening enforcement along the southern border.

For many conservatives, border security remains one of the most critical issues facing the country.

House Oversight Investigation Could Be Next

Mace, who serves on the House Oversight Committee, also suggested the controversy may not be over.

She indicated lawmakers may consider taking a closer look at the situation and could potentially pursue a subpoena as part of an investigation into how the advertising contract was approved.

“Now that I have more information, we may need to revisit this through the Oversight Committee,” Mace said. “A subpoena could be on the table.”

She emphasized that accountability should apply to both political parties.

“As Republicans, we should be willing to hold our own accountable,” Mace explained. “President Trump is working to restore trust in our institutions — in Congress, in the White House, and across the federal government.”

Republicans Expect Stronger Leadership at DHS

Despite the controversy, Mace said she remains optimistic about the future of the Department of Homeland Security under new leadership.

She believes the change will ultimately help President Trump strengthen border enforcement and improve how the agency carries out its mission.

“I’m looking forward to stronger leadership and better results,” she said. “President Trump made the right call.”

With Sen. Markwayne Mullin preparing to take over leadership at DHS, many Republicans expect renewed focus on border security, immigration enforcement, and protecting the American homeland.