Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has found herself at the center of a political storm after being temporarily relocated to secure military housing amid a surge in death threats and a wave of doxxing that exposed her Washington D.C. residence. The move, which placed her in the home typically reserved for the top Coast Guard official at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, has drawn sharp criticism from congressional Democrats and reignited debate over the appropriate use of military resources by Cabinet officials.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on August 15, 2025, that Noem was forced to leave her personal Navy Yard apartment after media outlets published its location, resulting in what Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin described as "vicious doxxing on the dark web and a surge in death threats, including from the terrorist organizations, cartels, and criminal gangs that DHS targets." According to Fox News Digital, these threats became so severe that Noem had no choice but to seek refuge in secure military housing.
"Due to threats and security concerns, she has been forced to temporarily stay in secure military housing," McLaughlin explained, emphasizing that Noem continues to pay rent for her Navy Yard residence despite her relocation. She lamented the role of the media in this situation, stating, "It's a shame that the media chooses sensationalism over the safety of people enforcing America's laws to keep Americans safe."
The threats against Noem were not isolated incidents. She reported a staggering 1000% increase in assaults against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who are now facing unprecedented dangers while arresting some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens. "We will not and have not let this violence stop us or slow us down. Everyday our law enforcement continues to enforce the law and arrest the most depraved criminals including pedophiles, terrorists, murderers, gang members, and sexual predators," Noem posted on X, according to Fox News Digital.
Data reported by Fox News Digital revealed that between January 21, 2025, and July 14, 2025—the period following President Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office—ICE officials experienced an 830% increase in assaults compared to the same stretch in 2024. The escalation in threats and violence has put extraordinary pressure on DHS leadership and frontline agents alike.
But while the security rationale for Noem’s move has been asserted by DHS, the optics and legality of her temporary residence have come under fire from congressional Democrats. The Washington Post first reported that Noem was living rent-free in the Coast Guard commandant’s residence, a property typically occupied by Adm. Kevin Lunday, the acting head of the Coast Guard who remains unconfirmed in the role. The Daily Mail further reported that Noem moved into the residence in July.
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), a former chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, did not mince words. "Federal government coffers are not Noem’s personal piggy bank, and Coast Guard service members are not her servants. Noem must pay her part. If she requires accommodations for her security, she should brief Congress and request appropriate resources—not take over property from the Coast Guard," Thompson said in a statement, as reported by Nexstar Media.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) echoed these concerns, telling The Washington Post that the commandant’s house is "not a vanity residence" and that Noem is "essentially taking that property from the military." Murphy added, "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."
Under federal law, Cabinet officials are not typically provided government housing, whereas military personnel receive a housing allowance based on rank and location. The Coast Guard commandant’s quarters, located at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, are meant for the service’s top leader, and Coast Guard members usually use their housing allowances to pay for leases, including those on base.
This is not the first time Noem has faced scrutiny for her use of Coast Guard resources. In May 2025, the Coast Guard submitted a $50 million budget request to fund the purchase of a new Gulfstream 5 jet, a move that Democratic appropriators said was primarily to support Noem’s personal travel. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, expressed her outrage at the time: "I was horrified last Friday when we received a last minute addition to your spend plan for fiscal ’25, a new $50 million Gulfstream 5 for Secretary Noem’s personal travel coming from the Coast Guard budget. She already has a Gulfstream 5, by the way, this is a new one."
McLaughlin, defending the aircraft purchase, cited safety concerns, explaining, "The current CG-101 G550 is over twenty years old, outside of Gulfstream’s service life, and well beyond operational usage hours for a corporate aircraft. This is a matter of safety. Much like the Coast Guard’s ships that are well beyond their service life and safe operational usage, Coast Guard’s aircraft are too. This Administration is taking action to restore our Nation’s finest maritime Armed Service to a capable fighting force."
Questions about Noem’s use of Coast Guard jets have persisted. The Washington Post reported that she has used the executive jet extensively since taking office, including for nine personal trips to South Dakota. Federal law requires that such trips be reimbursed at the same rate as a commercial flight, and McLaughlin confirmed that Noem has complied with these reimbursement rules.
Still, critics argue that these actions amount to an improper leveraging of military assets for personal benefit. Thompson, referencing both the housing and jet use, said, "If Secretary Noem is living rent-free in military housing, she should be ashamed. Reports that she is also using Coast Guard executive jets for extensive personal travel … are just as despicable. Secretary Noem’s focus seems to be on pampering herself at taxpayer expense, even as she directs the inhumane and unlawful treatment of so many."
For her part, Noem and her supporters maintain that the extraordinary security threats she faces justify these temporary measures. DHS officials have repeatedly emphasized that Noem continues to pay rent for her Navy Yard residence and that the steps taken are necessary for her safety and the continued enforcement of America’s laws.
The controversy underscores the delicate balance between ensuring the safety of public officials and maintaining public trust in the stewardship of government resources. As threats against federal law enforcement and their leaders reach unprecedented levels, the debate over how best to protect them—without eroding the integrity of military and governmental institutions—will likely continue to simmer on Capitol Hill and beyond.
With the nation watching, both the security of high-profile officials and the principle of accountability in government spending remain firmly in the spotlight.
