Kristi Noem was replaced by Markwayne Mullin as DHS secretary and Gregory Bovino was demoted, signally a change in tone even as arrests have continued
Throughout last year, Donald Trump delivered on his signature campaign promise of mass deportation in draconian and theatrical style. Hardline figures such as Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, and Gregory Bovino, the border patrol commander, became the face of Trump’s crackdown, defending a strategy of large-scale raids that sent immigration agents flooding into US cities, terrorizing communities and clashing with protesters.
Then in January, immigration officers killed two US citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, in a matter of three weeks. The killings spurred a sweeping backlash that has led Democratic members of Congress to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for more than a month in an attempt to rein in ICE. Even Trump said “maybe we could use a little bit of a softer touch”.
Since then, Trump’s mass deportation campaign has taken on a new public face as its glaring unpopularity has become clear and polls show growing discontent with the president’s strategy.
The White House demoted Bovino, who is retiring this week. Out as well is Noem, who relentlessly championed ICE’s crackdown in the media. In their places, Trump has installed Tom Homan, the border czar, and Markwayne Mullin, the incoming DHS secretary.
