Sen. John Kennedy said he would favor Trump border czar Tom Homan leading Homeland Security as questions mount over Secretary Kristi Noem’s handling of recent enforcement controversies.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Sen. John Kennedy on Monday suggested he would support replacing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem if President Donald Trump were to elevate border czar Tom Homan to lead the department, underscoring his confidence in Homan’s approach to immigration enforcement.
Appearing on The Situation Room, Kennedy described himself as a strong supporter of Homan while emphasizing that enforcement of immigration laws must adhere to constitutional standards.
“I’m a big Tom Homan fan,” Kennedy said during the interview. “I think he knows what he is doing. I think he exercises providential judgment. I would leave him in charge.”
The remarks came as Wolf Blitzer asked whether Noem had sufficiently acknowledged mistakes related to actions taken by her department in Minnesota.
“Well, I haven’t heard it. She might have, and I just didn’t hear it,” Kennedy said. He then outlined what he called three central points guiding his view on immigration enforcement and leadership.
“Number two, I think most Americans agree with me that illegal immigration is illegal,” Kennedy said. “Our immigration statutes are not some second-tier laws. I support enforcing them. How you enforce them matters. Due process, equal protection, reasonable suspicion, and Terry v. Ohio.”
Kennedy said effective leadership is essential to carrying out laws passed by Congress, arguing that policy alone is insufficient without competent execution.
“You can legislate stuff, but if you don’t have the leadership to execute it, then it’s of no moment,” he said. “I think Homan knows how to do that.”
Kennedy did not explicitly call for Noem’s removal but indicated that his support would lie with Homan should the administration consider a leadership change at the Department of Homeland Security, framing the issue around enforcement credibility and adherence to constitutional protections.