Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reportedly fired a Coast Guard pilot for misplacing her blanket, according to a report published late last week. But that's just the most recent example of tension between the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard.
According to an NBC News report, it all began with Noem's decision to evict Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan from her home at Joint Bas Anacostia Bolling, giving her three hours’ notice. The reason, DHS said, is that Noem needs advanced security.
Unlike other armed forces, the Coast Guard falls under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security. But under President Donald Trump's administration, the priority is the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration.
According to one official, the blanket incident, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, only made things worse.
“The primary mission was search-and-rescue,” said a former Coast Guard official. “And now the number one stated mission of the Coast Guard is border security, that is a cultural change that the culture hasn’t quite caught up to.”
Under Noem, “you never know what’s going to happen," the official added, describing morale as "terrible."
A DHS spokesperson called the report "armchair speculation that’s out of touch with the reality in the service right now.”
Sources told NBC News "The dynamic with more senior officials has only worsened in recent months as Noem oversaw a tenfold increase in the use of Coast Guard aircraft for migrant deportations, which has strained its limited resources."
"The increase was captured in data compiled by ICE Flight Monitor, a nonprofit group that tracks deportation flights," according to the report.
“It puts so much stress on the Wing,” the Coast Guard official said.
Per NBC News, Coast Guard officials operate as if they could be fired at any moment under the whim of a volatile leadership.
“There is a general atmosphere of ‘keep your head down; you don’t want to be on the firing line,’” former Coast Guard official said.