Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ignited a firestorm of controversy on Thursday after celebrating a legal development with a profane message on social media. In response to the voluntary withdrawal of a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s authority to transfer migrants to Guantánamo Bay, Noem posted a two-word message to X: “Suck it,” accompanied by an image of the legal filing.
The case, Espinoza Escalona v. Noem, sought to block the Biden administration’s reported plans to use the Guantánamo Bay detention facility for holding migrants—a move that sparked widespread concern among civil rights groups. The plaintiffs withdrew the case without prejudice, meaning it could be refiled at a later date.
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Despite the procedural nature of the filing, Noem appeared to interpret it as a complete victory and chose to celebrate in a manner that many found jarring for a cabinet-level official. Her post drew swift and sharp backlash across social media platforms, including X and Bluesky.
“This is DHS Secretary Kristi Noem saying ‘suck it’ in celebration over deporting people … without due process,” wrote Democratic youth activist Harry Sisson. “She’s celebrating constitutional rights being ignored. How evil and depraved.”
The account Republicans Against Trumpism echoed the sentiment, posting, “Not AI. This is a real tweet from the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. This is our life now.”
Legal experts and public figures also criticized Noem’s misunderstanding of the legal terminology. “She is clueless about what the words mean … without prejudice,” wrote attorney and former judge pro tem Tracey Gallagher, pointing out that the plaintiffs reserve the right to reopen the case in the future.
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Beyond the legal and political implications, Noem’s remark invited personal attacks and resurfaced past allegations of an extramarital affair with former Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski. Influencer Alex Cole wrote, “‘Suck it’? Ma’am … That’s allegedly what got you in trouble with Corey Lewandowski in the first place.”
Critics argue that Noem’s behavior reflects a broader erosion of decorum and accountability in high office. The use of crude language by a sitting Homeland Security Secretary to mark a contentious and unresolved legal issue has deepened existing divisions in an already polarized political landscape.
As of Friday morning, Noem had not deleted or clarified the post, and neither the Department of Homeland Security nor the White House has commented on her statement. The legal and political ramifications of both the lawsuit and Noem’s response continue to unfold.
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