'Don't let the door hit you': Illinois politicians react after Trump ousts Noem
ILLINOIS - From "Good riddance" to "She gone!", Illinois politicians responded with blunt and biting remarks after President Donald Trump announced the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
What we know:
Two days after Noem appeared at a heated Capitol Hill hearing over the department’s immigration enforcement actions, Trump announced she had been removed from her position in a social media post on Thursday.
Trump also said he is nominating Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace Noem, effective March 31.
"I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), effective March 31, 2026," Trump said in a statement on his social media platform Truth Social. "The current Secretary, Kristi Noem, who has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!), will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere we are announcing on Saturday in Doral, Florida. I thank Kristi for her service at ‘Homeland.’"
Noem is reportedly the first Cabinet secretary to depart during Trump’s second term. She has faced sustained criticism over the administration’s immigration enforcement policies and deadly shootings that have occurred.
Illinois elected officials reacted on social media and in public statements following the announcement.
What they're saying:
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker
"Hey Kristi Noem, don't let the door hit you on the way out. Here's your legacy: Corruption and chaos, parents and children tear-gassed, moms and nurses, U.S. citizens getting shot in the face. Now that you're gone, don't think you get to just walk away. I guarantee you, you will still be held accountable," Gov. Pritzker said.
Rep. Robin Kelly
"Good riddance, Kristi Noem. President Trump fired Kristi Noem because he knew Congress was going to remove her. My impeachment efforts against Noem gained momentum every time she opened her mouth and terrorized our country. She was an incompetent leader who enriched her friends and unleashed her Gestapo agents with no regard for the law or human life. It’s time for her to go home and never enter public service—or adopt a dog—again."
Sen. Dick Durbin
"Kristi Noem was the face of an unpopular, illegal, and outright dangerous mass deportation campaign that claimed the lives of innocent Americans and terrorized many more. Our country expressed outrage, she repeatedly lied before Congress, and even the President finally conceded she was unfit for the job.
"Kristi Noem slipped on the outrages of ICE. Will this Oklahoma Senator be any better? We will find out as the Senate exercises its authority under the Constitution to provide advice and consent on this appointment."
Sen. Tammy Duckworth
"Kristi Noem should've been fired a long, long time ago. Next, the Trump Administration needs to work with Democrats to enact the commonsense DHS reforms that the American people are crying out for.
"Helping prevent more Americans from being executed by their own government is the very least they can do."
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
"Good riddance. I called for Noem’s resignation in April 2025. I was the first to call for her impeachment in September. In December, I requested that the House Committee on Judiciary conduct a complete investigation into Secretary Noem's unlawful and potentially impeachable actions. And just last week, I met with Noem face-to-face to reiterate that she must resign or face removal from office. Her removal is long overdue.
"All credit for the end of her tenure as Secretary of DHS belongs to the people in the streets who have been mobilizing, documenting, and litigating every violation of our rights perpetrated under Noem’s leadership. Anyone who seeks appointment to implement Trump’s unlawful, inhumane campaign of terror should expect the same level of accountability and scrutiny.
"But Noem’s removal is not sufficient. She has no place in public office. She has misused resources appropriated by Congress and engaged in unethical behavior, made false and misleading statements to Congress and to the press, and undermined the separation of powers and disregarded the role of Congress and the Courts. Under her leadership, families have been torn apart, and precious lives have been lost. She must be impeached, and the American people must have justice and accountability.
"Regardless of whichever figurehead Trump attempts to appoint as the next Secretary of DHS, we know the world we are building: one where no billionaires profit from our pain, where we abolish ICE and end detention, and we dismantle DHS. The power of the people is ALWAYS greater than the weapons they would wield against us, including DHS. Today and everyday, all power to the people."
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton
"Bye, Kristi!"
Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch
"She gone!"
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson
"In Kristi Noem's time fleecing the American people with her derelict of leadership at DHS, Chicago has withstood targeted attacks by DHS and the federal agents under its purview who have incited chaos in our communities with their violence and callous disregard for our residents' most basic human rights. Instead of seeking collaboration, Noem weaponized fear to undermine trust between communities and local law enforcement who work every day to keep our communities safe. Her tenure will be remembered by her brazen corruption, the reckless exploitation of vulnerable families to advance a far-right agenda, and willingness to put the President's interests over those of the American people. She will not be missed in Chicago."
Congressman Mike Quigley
"Good riddance. Kristi Noem’s time as DHS Secretary has been an utter disaster. She was unqualified, incompetent, and cruel from the beginning. Under her leadership, U.S. citizens have been detained and killed, children have been teargassed, CBP and ICE have effectively operated unconstrained, and DHS has repeatedly lied to the American people. And she killed her dog.
"All of this is why I cosponsored Rep. Robin Kelly’s articles of impeachment and have been calling for her removal for months.
"This was incredibly overdue. Apparently, Donald Trump finally got tired of the bad headlines she was constantly generating with her misconduct. Trump and Noem cannot try to save face by moving her to a made-up position. She has no place within the federal government.
"Markwayne Mullin is just as unfit as Noem. I have no confidence whatsoever that he will stand up to Trump’s demands for violence or curb ICE and CBP’s behavior in any way.
"While I am cheered by Noem’s removal, we cannot lose sight of the essential task at hand: Withholding funds from ICE and CBP until significant structural changes are made that protect our communities from unnecessary violence and violations of basic rights."
Rep. Darin LaHood
"I have the utmost confidence in Senator Markwayne Mullin’s ability to effectively lead the Department of Homeland Security," said Rep. LaHood. "During our time serving together in Congress and on the House Intelligence Committee, I witnessed Senator Mullin’s tremendous integrity, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment to the safety of the American people. He will bring the same dedication and leadership to DHS and continue to bolster our national security."
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi
"Secretary Noem’s removal does not erase the abuses that occurred on her watch in the Trump administration. It only reinforces why Congress must continue demanding accountability. I commend Congresswoman Kelly for her leadership in introducing articles of impeachment against Secretary Noem as part of our broader efforts to expose these abuses and ensure that no one is above the law. By replacing Secretary Noem with Senator Mullin, President Trump is hoping to distract from reckless, militarized immigration raids, including Operation Midway Blitz, that have spread fear in communities across the country and left multiple people dead. Changing the name on the door will not change the policies, the abuses, or the Trump administration’s rejection of congressional oversight. The American people deserve a Department of Homeland Security that respects the rule of law and answers to the public. We must abolish Trump’s ICE."
FOX Chicago will update this story as additional reactions are released.
What's next:
Mullin would need to be confirmed by the Senate for the role, but under federal law, he could serve as acting Homeland Security secretary while his nomination is pending.
RELATED: Trump removes Kristi Noem from Homeland Security post
The Source: The information in this article was gathered from multiple reports and Illinois politicians.