Washington, D.C. —  Common Cause celebrates a major victory for public safety and government accountability following the removal of Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. The move comes after Common Cause led a national, people-powered campaign to oust Noem following a tenure marked by lawless actions, corruption, and fatal law enforcement abuses. The campaign brought an end to Noem’s tenure in just over a month.

“Kristi Noem’s removal is a hard-won victory for Americans who refused to stay silent while the government was weaponized against the very people it’s sworn to protect,” said Virginia Kase Solomón, President and CEO of Common Cause. “Under Noem’s watch, DHS was defined by corruption, terror, and the tragic, preventable deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. This is a powerful reminder that in a true democracy, no official is above the law.”

While firing Noem is a critical milestone, Common Cause warns that leadership change is only the first step.

“We cannot, and will not, return to business as usual,” added Solomón. “DHS is still in crisis. Until there is a qualified, proven leader at the helm who is committed to putting the safety of all Americans first, Congress shouldn’t give another penny to DHS.”

Through the “Fire Kristi Noem” campaign, Common Cause galvanized hundreds of thousands of Americans desperate for accountability into action.

• Mass Mobilization: Common Cause collected nearly 100,000 signatures on a national petition demanding Noem’s immediate removal.
• Direct Advocacy: Common Cause members placed tens of thousands of calls to Congress, insisting that lawmakers prioritize the safety of their constituents over political partisanship.
• High-Visibility Demands: From digital ad campaigns to a mobile billboard circling the White House, Capitol Hill, and the DHS office in Virginia, Common Cause made its message inescapable: Noem’s failed leadership had to end.

Common Cause will continue holding DHS accountable by demanding:

1. A moratorium on all ICE operations in our communities.
2. The unconditional cooperation between the federal government and the local law enforcement agencies who are investigating the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

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