Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has found herself at the center of a political and ethical storm after relocating from her Washington Navy Yard apartment to the prestigious Quarters 1 residence at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling—housing typically reserved for the Coast Guard commandant. The move, first reported by The Washington Post on August 15, 2025, has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and former officials, igniting debate over security, privilege, and the boundaries of official government perks.
According to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson, Noem’s relocation was prompted by her being "doxxed"—a term defined by DHS as the malicious publication of personal information, such as home addresses, often gleaned from public records. Nearly four months prior, the British tabloid Daily Mail published photos of Noem’s condominium building, exposing her residence to the public eye. This, DHS claims, led to a surge in death threats and forced Noem to seek more secure accommodations.
Tricia McLaughlin, Noem’s spokesperson, confirmed to The Washington Post and The Daily Beast that the secretary’s move was a direct response to increased threats. "She has been so horribly doxxed and targeted that she is no longer able to safely live in her own apartment," McLaughlin stated. She emphasized that Noem continues to pay rent at her Navy Yard apartment, while her stay at the Coast Guard commandant’s residence is rent-free and, according to DHS, only temporary. "Due to the increased threats and safety concerns, she has been forced to temporarily stay in secure military housing," McLaughlin wrote on social media. "As the DHS officers Secretary Noem leads face a 1,000% increase in assaults against them, the Washington Post chooses to again publish where she lives. A revealing lack of basic humanity for another person’s safety."
Security at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is stringent, requiring visitors to present REAL ID-compliant documents, submit to physical screenings, and undergo vehicle inspections. The base’s enhanced security protocols are intended to protect high-ranking officials and sensitive military operations. The commandant’s home has been vacant since Coast Guard Admiral Linda Fagan was dismissed earlier this year, leaving Quarters 1 available for Noem’s use.
The controversy, however, extends far beyond questions of personal safety. Critics, particularly from the Democratic Party, have accused Noem of exploiting her office for personal gain. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on homeland security, told The Daily Beast, "It’s a real insult to the brave men and women who are protecting our shores that she thinks that house belongs to her instead of to the Coast Guard." Representatives Bennie G. Thompson and LaMonica McIver echoed these sentiments in a joint statement, condemning Noem for living rent-free and allegedly misusing government resources. "Federal government coffers are not Noem’s personal piggy bank, and Coast Guard service members are not her servants. Noem must pay her part," they declared. "If she requires accommodations for her security, she should brief Congress and request appropriate resources—not take over property from the Coast Guard."
Concerns about the precedent set by Noem’s actions have also been voiced by former defense officials. Jeh Johnson, who served as DHS Secretary under President Barack Obama, warned in an email to The Washington Post, "Most likely, if a Cabinet secretary takes a government house, there’s a chain reaction and people very senior are getting displaced." Retired Coast Guard Admiral Paul Zukunft noted that Quarters 1 has been used exclusively by the current serving commandant since 2010, and that Noem’s residence there could displace another leader. "There are typically four homes for the military’s top admirals at Anacostia-Bolling," he explained, underscoring the limited nature of such housing.
While Noem’s supporters argue that her move was a necessary response to credible threats, detractors see it as an abuse of privilege. The debate has been further fueled by the tabloid coverage that precipitated Noem’s security concerns. In April, Daily Mail published a report not only revealing Noem’s living arrangements but also alleging a romantic involvement with Corey Lewandowski, a special government employee and her de facto chief of staff. The tabloid reported that Lewandowski, who lives nearby, was often seen leaving Noem’s building. Both Noem and Lewandowski, who are married to other people, have denied the allegations. The White House, according to The Daily Beast, is investigating Lewandowski for allegedly undercounting his hours to retain his unpaid role as a special government employee. President Donald Trump reportedly blocked Lewandowski’s appointment as Noem’s chief of staff due to concerns over the optics of their relationship.
Following the publication of her address, McLaughlin said Noem experienced "vicious doxing on the dark web and a surge in death threats, including from the terrorist organizations, cartels, and criminal gangs that DHS targets." She added, "It’s a shame that the media chooses sensationalism over the safety of people enforcing America’s laws to keep Americans safe." According to DHS, the threats were significant enough to warrant an increase in Noem’s security detail.
Despite the uproar, DHS maintains that Noem’s stay at the base is a temporary measure and that she continues to pay rent on her previous apartment. McLaughlin dismissed suggestions that Noem was exploiting her position, stating, "Sad for you to suggest a rancher should have to pay a second rent because of a reporter’s irresponsible decisions to dox where she lives." Yet, the optics of a cabinet secretary—who, according to Forbes, earns around $200,000 annually and is estimated to be worth $5 million—living rent-free in military housing have not sat well with many lawmakers and former officials.
The episode has also reignited broader discussions about the intersection of public safety, privacy, and the responsibilities of high-ranking government officials. Doxxing, once a niche concern, has become a significant threat for those in public service, especially as personal information becomes easier to access and disseminate. As The Washington Post noted, not all doxxed information is obtained illegally; much of it is found in public records, court documents, and even voter registration lists. The risk to officials like Noem, who oversee agencies targeting dangerous criminal and terrorist organizations, is real—and growing.
Ultimately, the question remains: where should the line be drawn between legitimate security needs and the responsible use of government resources? Noem’s case has exposed the tensions inherent in balancing personal safety with public accountability, and it’s clear the debate is far from over. For now, the Coast Guard commandant’s residence remains a symbol of both sanctuary and controversy in the nation’s capital.
