Kristi Noem’s replacement grilled about why she is ‘still living rent-free’ in waterfront Coast Guard home

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Kristi Noem’s replacement at the Department of Homeland Security is facing new questions over his predecessor’s controversial living arrangements.

Noem, who was ousted as DHS secretary in March, is reportedly still occupying a taxpayer-funded U.S. Coast Guard home in Washington, D.C.

On May 1, Democratic Representative Robert Garcia sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin over Noem’s continued occupancy of the waterfront property.

“Kristi Noem got fired in March and she is still living rent-free in a government home that belongs to the Coast Guard,” Garcia said in a statement, accompanying the letter. “The Trump Administration can’t explain why, nor do they seem to care.”

Kristi Noem, the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, has been criticized for occupying a Coast Guard property (AFP/Getty)

The property on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling was previously occupied by Linda Fagan, the first female Coast Guard commandant. She was fired by President Trump on January 21, 2025, just a day after his inauguration.

Fagan was later evicted from the property with three hours’ notice, despite being given a 60-day waiver to find new housing by the Coast Guard, Garcia claims.

Noem, who is now the special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, moved into the home in August 2025.

On an episode of Fox News’ Hannity, which aired that same month, she claimed that she moved into the Coast Guard property after details about her residence in the Navy Yard neighbourhood were published by news organizations.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin now faces a call to hand over documentation related to Noem's occupancy — DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin now faces a call to hand over documentation related to Noem’s occupancy (Getty)

“This same administration threw out the Coast Guard Commandant with three hours of notice to make room for Noem, and even though she’s been fired from her government role, she won’t leave government housing,” Garcia wrote in the statement.

“Secretary Mullin owes us answers and Noem must pack her bags and go.”

In the letter, Garcia demanded that Mullin hand over all documentation and communications concerning Noem’s residence at Quarters 1. He said that questions remain over concerns of waste, fraud and abuse during Noem’s tenure.

Garcia also claimed that Noem’s remaining in the property calls Mullin’s “stewardship of DHS’s taxpayer-funded resources” into question.

The Coast Guard property is located on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. (AFP/Getty)

Previously, Noem told Congress that she pays rent to remain at the facility.

“Let me clarify a couple things,” she said. “I’m not in the Commandant’s house. I’m in a Coast Guard House, but not the Commandant’s house.”

Noem added, “And I will also tell you that I rent that facility. I rent where I stay, and pay personal dollars to do that.”

The current Coast Guard commandant, Admiral Kevin Lunday, has told associates that he plans to move into the house imminently, sources told The Wall Street Journal.

Currently, Lunday lives in a home next door, which is usually designated for the vice commandant.

The Independent has contacted the DHS for comment.