Democrats celebrated the ousting of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, amplifying their call for President Donald Trump to remove additional controversial figures within his administration. The dismissal has sparked widespread reactions from several key Democratic figures, highlighting a moment of intense political scrutiny.

“Kristi Noem will go down as the most shamelessly incompetent and cruel Homeland Security Secretary in U.S. history,” California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed on X, a social media platform. He added, “Firing her is not enough. NOEM, GREG BOVINO, and STEPHEN MILLER all must be held accountable for terrorizing and endangering the American people.”

The response to Noem's firing was swift among Democrats, with potential 2028 presidential candidates seizing the moment to advocate for further administrative changes. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also shared a strong message via a video on social media, stating, “Hey, Kristi Noem, don't let the door hit you on the way out,” and critiqued her legacy as one of “corruption and chaos.”

Trump announced Noem's new role as the inaugural “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas” following her turbulent year at the agency. Concurrently, he nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) as her successor, a move that has been met with approval from Republican circles.

Yet, the Democratic side remains unsatisfied with just Noem’s departure. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Representative Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) have called for the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi. Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) suggested that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should also be dismissed.

Noem’s tenure was marred by controversies, including her alleged relationship with Trump ally Corey Lewandowski and her labeling of two Minnesota protesters as “domestic terrorists.” She also faced scrutiny over a $220 million DHS ad campaign, which President Trump later denied approving.

Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) noted on X, “Time and time again, Secretary Noem failed the American people and her duty to the Constitution. This was particularly true in how she oversaw ICE. Her departure demonstrates that if you don’t uphold the most basic American values, the American public wants you gone."

Amidst this leadership change, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized that the issues within ICE are extensive and go beyond any single individual. “The problems at ICE transcend any one individual... It goes beyond any one person,” Schumer stated, calling for a comprehensive reform of the agency.

As the Trump administration navigates these turbulent waters, the call for a broader overhaul from Democrats signifies a critical moment of accountability and potential change within the federal government.