Page 6 – THE LOCAL REPORT ARTICLES

Major Raj Bhavans reshuffle: Former envoy Sandhu appointed as Delhi LG, Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi shifted to Bengal

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March 6, 2026

Major Raj Bhavans reshuffle: Former envoy Sandhu appointed as Delhi LG, Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi shifted to Bengal

Former envoy Sandhu appointed as Delhi LG, Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi relocated to Bengal

New Delhi/Kolkata: governor of tamil nadu RN Ravi has replaced CV Ananda Bose as the new governor of West Bengal, while former ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu will become the new LGBT governor of Delhi as part of a larger governorship reshuffle. The move to appoint Ravi as Bengal Governor was immediately criticized by the Bengal Chief Minister. Mamata Banerjee. Ravi, a former IPS officer who has often clashed with the DMK government, was appointed just days before poll dates were announced in Bengal and other states. As part of the reforms announced by Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has been given additional charge of TN, while renowned security expert Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) replaced Arif Mohammad Khan as Bihar governor and Telangana governor Jishnu Dev Varma Varma) was appointed Governor of Maharashtra.

Other changes include Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta being elevated to Himachal Pradesh governor, replacing Shiv Pratap Shukla, who has been transferred to Telangana. Vinai Kumar Saxena, the current Delhi LG, has been transferred to Ladakh to serve as the new LG. bjp Politician and former Bihar Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav is the new Governor of Nagaland.Bose, who had clashed with the Mamata-led TMC government several times during his tenure, announced his resignation from Delhi.Didi: Shah did not consult me on changing of guard issueMamata said Shah did not consult her on the changing of the guard “in accordance with established practice”. Ravi has always been with tamil nadu His transfer to Bengal is expected to assume significance as Mamata has strongly protested against the Election Commission’s SIR operation in the state and polls will be held based on the new voters’ list. Ananda Bose’s decision was sudden, with Raj Bhavan’s social media channels posting about his major official events on Friday, just hours before he announced the decision. These include his “attendance” at the “unprecedented” Darjeeling Hills Music Festival, where President Drupadi Murmu will be the chief guest. The selection of Ravi as the 24th Governor of Bengal on the eve of the elections also prompted the Chief Minister to claim that “such behavior destroys the spirit of the Indian Constitution and strikes at the very foundation of our federal structure”. Ravi, known for his confrontation with Stalin’s government, will enter Raj Bhavan ahead of the assembly elections. As many have pointed out, Bose has kept an uncharacteristically low profile over the past few months, avoiding any new fights with the Bangladesh government. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said, “They (TMC) should stop complaining about ethics and morals in a state where the leader of the opposition in the assembly has to move 124 motions in the high court just to hold a public meeting.” Raj Bhavan insiders gave several “reasons” for Bose’s decision: poor health and frustration that the state government was not allowing him to work. It is also becoming increasingly clear to Bengali political circles that Bose’s recent non-confrontational approach is not entirely to the liking of local BJP brass. “It is not the national government that is holding him back, but his own actions and inactions,” a top BJP official told TOI.

Kristy Noem AD: Video resurfaces after Donald Trump replaces Homeland Security secretary with Markwayne Mullin; WATCH

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March 6, 2026

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Kristy Noem AD: Video resurfaces after Donald Trump replaces Homeland Security secretary with Markwayne Mullin; WATCH

president Donald Trump replaced Kristi Noem with oklahoma state senator Markwayne Mullin As Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Trump made the announcement in a Truth Society post, following months of controversy including the shootings of Renee Nicole Goode and Alex Pretty in Minneapolis. The president announced that the change will take effect on March 31.

Kristi Noem filmed a commercial in front of Mount Rushmore. (X/@ExDemMark)

Noem will take over The role of special envoys For the Western Hemisphere. “I am pleased to announce that Markwayne Mullin, the highly respected United States Senator from the great state of Oklahoma, will become Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). I thank Christie for her service at ‘DHS,'” Trump wrote.

ALSO READ | Who is Brian Noem? 5 Things Homeland Security Secretary Slams Kristi Noem’s Husband Corey Lewandowski About Affair

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that the president was unhappy with Noem’s answers during a congressional hearing. He was reportedly unhappy with her telling lawmakers that he had signed on to an ad campaign worth about $200 million in which she urged immigrants to self-deport, the publication said, citing a person familiar with the matter. Trump told Reuters he knew nothing about the campaign.

Now, with news of Noem’s firing, those ads are starting to resurface.

Kristi Noem ad resurfaces: Watch

One person who shared the ad wrote: “Kristi Noem works for the Department of Homeland Security. This is a TV ad of her riding a horse, shot at Mount Rushmore five months ago in a campaign that cost over $200 million.”

The ad features Noem on a horse in cowboy attire, interspersed with visuals of Trump. Noem preached to the audience about the American dream and way of life, telling them that the opportunities are limitless for those who choose to enter the United States legally. The ad then issued a warning to those trying to enter the United States illegally, with Noem promising consequences.

Noem himself announced the event back in February 2025.

“Tonight, I am announcing a multi-million dollar national and international advertising campaign warning illegal immigrants to leave our country immediately or face deportation and the inability to return to the United States. This is a strong warning to criminal illegal immigrants not to come to the United States. If they do, they will be hunted down and deported,” she wrote.

Noem also added, “Thank you to Donald Trump for protecting our border and putting America first.”

professional public Report On March 4, The Strategy Group said a Noem-related company secretly received funds from a $220 million Department of Homeland Security advertising contract.

‘Dear Indians who targeted me, you are breaking the law’: Whistleblower claims to receive spam calls after Texas ‘exposes’ H-1B ‘takeover’

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March 6, 2026

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‘Dear Indians who targeted me, you are breaking the law’: Whistleblower claims to receive spam calls after Texas ‘exposes’ H-1B ‘takeover’

A social media spat over immigrants in Texas intensified after influencer and self-proclaimed whistleblower Marc Palasciano accused Indians of harassing him with spam calls and warned he might seek federal action against them.Palasciano wrote in a post onThe warning comes after he shared a video claiming he had received a large number of harassing phone calls in recent days. In the video, he claims the calls began shortly after he began talking about an “Indian takeover” in Frisco, Texas, and criticizing the use of H-1B visas.He posted a video showing his call logs: “Let me show you how some Indians are breaking the law right now. Look at my spam calls. This is from Tuesday. This is from yesterday. Yesterday I got 30 spam calls. This is from today, from 8:40 to 9:48 am. This is no coincidence, it was right before I started exposing H1B and Indians after the takeover in Frisco. What they were doing was actually illegal for people to register spam calls to, and most importantly, it was targeted harassment.”He added that he planned to file a complaint with regulators.“There’s a process where you can file a complaint with the FCC and they’ll look into it for you and probably they’ll find the person who did this to you. So, I’m going to file one of those and we’ll see what happens,” he said.Palasciano also said the calls didn’t affect him personally because of the call screening feature: “But it just goes to show that Indians are willing to violate U.S. laws if you speak out against their practices with H1B visas and the Indian takeover in Frisco. It is not illegal to use the First Amendment to speak out. What they did was illegal. “The controversy stems from controversy surrounding a recent meeting of the Frisco City Council. Palasciano earlier posted a photo of Boy Scouts attending a council meeting and claimed it showed an “Indian takeover.”Many social media users pointed out that the Scouts’ attendance at the meeting is part of a long-standing local tradition.At the beginning of Frisco’s council meetings, local Boy Scouts or Cub Scouts are often invited to administer the Pledge of Allegiance. These youth groups are part of the Boy Scouts of America and regularly participate in civic ceremonies throughout Texas.

Supreme Court: Courts must use an iron fist against disobedient parties

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March 6, 2026

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Supreme Court: Courts must use an iron fist against disobedient parties

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has criticized litigants, especially government authorities, for not complying with court orders and filing appeals or review pleas when facing contempt proceedings, saying courts should deal harshly with them otherwise public confidence in the judiciary will be eroded.A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan also held that the defense of administrative impediment or even impossibility of executing the order cannot be invoked in contempt proceedings if the contemnor fails to inform the court within the stipulated time limit of the difficulty in executing its order. “Delay in filing appeals should have been the exception. But in recent years, the exception has actually turned into the rule. Orders passed by the courts have been chronically not complied with, and when contempt petitions are filed, delay in appeal is preferred and the delays are lengthy,” it said.SC: Litigants who disobey may face contempt of courtIt said: “We are unequivocally opposed to these practices. We believe that through this modus operandi, disobedient litigants are acting blatantly, which further reduces the authority and majesty of the courts and the rule of law and interferes with the administration of justice. In some cases, the same conduct is likely to border on criminal contempt of court.”The Supreme Court said the High Courts should deal with these “unscrupulous litigants with an iron fist, especially when they happen to be ‘State’ or similar bodies within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution”, adding, “Unless the High Courts and this Court deal with these issues with determination, we face a clear risk that the unshakable faith of ordinary litigants in this country in the judiciary at all levels will be eroded.” It is the solemn responsibility of all of us in the courts at all levels to ensure that the public’s faith never wavers.“Justice will be merciful but courts should make strong exceptions for dishonest litigants and examine whether the “liberal” jurisprudence around contempt of court needs a serious re-examination, the judges said. It also clarifies that contempt proceedings are not limited to parties who approach the court for non-implementation of orders but third parties/non-parties who are part of the chain of decision-making process will also be liable for contempt of court.“In simple terms, therefore, a party once obtaining or coming to know of an order of this court, if it continues to commit willful non-performance or willful non-compliance or any similar objection/violation of the order concerned, will face the full wrath of contempt of court, which is no longer reintegrable,” it said.The court passed a contempt order against Chhattisgarh government officials for failing to comply with the order regulating services of employees and gave them a last chance to implement the order within 15 days.

Why did Trump fire Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary? Possible cause explanation

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March 6, 2026

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Why did Trump fire Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary? Possible cause explanation

Donald Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on March 5, sparking new controversy surrounding her tenure. Trump announced that Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin will succeed Noem at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Kristi Noem was fired as Homeland Security Secretary by Trump and replaced as Special Envoy for the American Shield (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP) (AFP)

Trump announced on Truth Social that Mullin will take over as Secretary of Homeland Security on March 31.

He further said that Noem will serve in the newly created “Envoy to the Americas Shield” role related to the new regional security plan that his administration intends to present in Florida this weekend.

Possible reasons for Kristi Noem’s firing

Scandals have mounted during Noem’s tenure, eroding support inside and outside the government. The Department of Homeland Security has been under heavy criticism in the months since two U.S. citizens were shot to death by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis earlier this year. The incident sparked protests and calls for an investigation into the agency’s methods.

One of the immediate triggers for Noem’s firing was the controversy in Congress over funding for the department.

Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association scam: Farooq Abdullah gets ED relief

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March 6, 2026

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Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association scam: Farooq Abdullah gets ED relief

查谟和克什米尔板球协会骗局：法鲁克·阿卜杜拉 (Farooq Abdullah) 获得 ED 救济

File photo: Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Chairman of the National Conference

Srinagar: A Kashmir court has dismissed an application filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking additional charges against national conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and others in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) scam case. The court said the ED cannot be involved in a case already investigated, registered and prosecuted by the Ministry of Justice. Central Bureau of Investigation (Confederation of British Industry).However, the court said there was prima facie evidence against the defendants, including Abdullah, and noted that “the essential elements of the offense under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 409 of the Ranbir Penal Code have been established” and the defendants will be charged accordingly. The court set the case for hearing on March 12, 2026, for charges to be filed.In 2018, the CBI filed charges against Abdullah and others for allegedly misappropriating Rs 43 crore from a grant given to the JKCA by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The CBI alleged that the funds were misappropriated during Abdullah’s tenure as JKCA chairman from 2002 to 2011.The CBI named Abdullah, then JKCA secretary-general Mohammad Saleem Khan, former treasurer Ahsan Ahmed Mirza and J&K Bank executive Bashir Ahmed Misgar in the chargesheet.

UAE alarmed by rising fruit and vegetable prices amid US-Israeli war with Iran: What shoppers need to know

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March 6, 2026

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UAE alarmed by rising fruit and vegetable prices amid US-Israeli war with Iran: What shoppers need to know

Ramadan grocery shock: UAE residents report rising fruit, vegetable prices amid tensions between Iran, US and Israel

Across the UAE, supermarket shoppers have begun to notice a familiar but unwelcome trend: fruits and vegetables have become more expensive during the war between Iran, the United States and Israel. From tomatoes and onions to imported berries and bananas, residents say grocery bills have been rising in recent days even as retailers insist supply chains remain stable and shelves are well-stocked.The price change comes at a sensitive time for the region. As geopolitical tensions impact airspace and shipping routes in the Gulf, perishable foods are often among the first commodities to see fluctuations because they rely heavily on fast logistics such as air freight and refrigerated shipments, analysts said.

UAE shoppers notice rising prices for fresh produce amid war between Iran, US and Israel

Consumers across the UAE are reporting a significant increase in the cost of fresh produce in supermarkets. Fruits and vegetables are often imported, are highly sensitive to transportation costs, and tend to respond quickly to changes in global supply chains. Analysts warn that logistics disruptions could quickly affect fast-moving goods such as fresh produce, which have a short shelf life and must reach markets quickly.This means that even minor disruptions to shipping schedules or freight routes can translate into higher retail prices within days. For families that rely heavily on fresh produce Ramadanthe changes are particularly obvious. Fruit, vegetables and juices often form a large part of iftar meals, with demand increasing at a time when supply chains are already under pressure.

Regional tensions amid Iran, US, Israel war ripple through UAE food supply chain

The price changes also come against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions. middle East. The ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has disrupted key shipping lanes and airspace in the region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.

From tomatoes to bananas: UAE shoppers see sudden rise in fruit and vegetable prices (Photo by Erik Marmor/Getty Images)

Any disruption to this route could have an immediate impact on Gulf states, many of which rely heavily on imported food. Reports show that tensions have disrupted shipping flows in the Gulf and complicated the logistics of food imports across the region, raising concerns about higher prices for perishable goods.For a country like the UAE, where up to 80-90% of food is imported, the stability of the supply chain is crucial. Even temporary disruptions can push up transportation costs, insurance and shipping costs, all of which ultimately impact supermarket prices.

UAE fuel, transport and insurance costs increase pressure for war with Iran, US and Israel

Economists say geopolitical tensions can drive up food prices through two main channels: energy and transportation. First, rising oil prices increase the cost of fuel used in shipping, trucking and air freight. Second, conflict zones can significantly increase freight costs by increasing shipping insurance and logistics risks.These increased fees are then passed along the supply chain, from exporters to wholesalers to retailers, and finally end up on supermarket shelves. Fresh produce is particularly vulnerable because it is often transported long distances from farms in Asia, Africa or Europe to Gulf markets. Any delays or rerouting can shorten shelf life and increase waste, forcing suppliers to adjust prices to offset losses.

Export disruptions also impact Gulf markets

Another factor behind the price changes is disruption to export supply chains in key agricultural regions. Fruit and vegetable exporters in countries such as India – a major supplier to the Gulf region – have reported uncertainty and transport disruptions as airspace closures and transport challenges impact deliveries to West Asian markets.

Will food prices rise in the UAE? Authorities respond to soaring oil prices

Grocery bills rise in UAE as fruit and vegetable prices surge in supermarkets Grocery bills rise in UAE As fruit and vegetable prices rise in supermarkets

Exporters typically increase shipments of fresh produce to Gulf countries during peak seasons such as Ramadan and Easter. But flight cancellations, shipping delays and uncertainty about shipping routes have complicated logistics this year. Analysts have warned that if the disruption continues, prices for some imported fruits and vegetables could become volatile further.

UAE authorities stress food security remains strong amid war with Iran, US and Israel

Despite price concerns, officials and retailers were quick to reassure residents that the UAE’s food supply remains secure. The country has invested heavily in food security strategies, including diversified import routes, large storage facilities and strategic stocks designed to cushion temporary supply shocks.Retail groups said their distribution centers and inventories remained adequate and able to cope with short-term supply disruptions. Authorities have also stepped up monitoring of food prices during Ramadan to prevent unreasonable price increases and protect consumers.

UAE curbs panic buying

Despite regional tensions and volatile prices, retailers are urging residents not to panic buy groceries. The recent surge in supermarket demand, particularly for staples such as rice, water and fresh produce, has been driven in part by precautionary buying. But industry leaders say supply chains remain operating normally and inventory levels are adequate. The UAE’s strong logistics infrastructure, diversified sourcing and global trade partnerships are designed to keep food supplies flowing even during regional disruptions.

What UAE shoppers can expect next

Experts say price changes for fresh produce are likely to continue in the short term, especially as route or airspace restrictions remain uncertain. However, large-scale shortages are unlikely due to the UAE’s strategic grain reserves and diversified import network. For consumers, the most obvious impact may simply be a slight increase in grocery bills for certain fruits and vegetables in the coming weeks.From a larger perspective, the situation highlights how interconnected global supply chains are and how geopolitical events can quickly ripple through everyday activities like supermarket shopping. For now, while the price of tomatoes or mangoes may fluctuate, authorities say the UAE’s food safety system remains strong enough to keep supermarket shelves well-stocked even in turbulent times.

Wayne County murders: 3 women found dead in Utah, suspect in custody; vehicle found in Pagosa Springs

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March 6, 2026

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Wayne County murders: 3 women found dead in Utah, suspect in custody; vehicle found in Pagosa Springs

Three women were found dead in separate locations in Utah’s Wayne County on Wednesday and a suspect was in custody, authorities said.

Three women found dead in Utah. (no splash)

The suspect allegedly fled the area in one of the victim’s vehicles, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. He traveled through southern Utah and then into Arizona Finally arriving in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Law enforcement launched a search and successfully located and arrested the suspect. Officials have not yet released the identity of the suspect or the name of the victim.

Investigators initially found the bodies of two women on a trail near Capitol Reef National Park. As the investigation widened, authorities later discovered a third woman died in wayne county.

The circumstances of the death remain under investigation and officials have not yet revealed the victim’s cause of death.

The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office posted a statement on Facebook saying, “We have received confirmation that a suspect in a Wayne County homicide has been arrested early this morning. The suspect is in the custody of law enforcement. We are grateful to all of our law enforcement and investigative partners, as well as all citizens who have provided tips and assistance throughout this process. We ask for your patience as the investigation progresses. Official details will come from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and the Utah Department of Public Safety.”

Also read: Wayne County suspect update: Police release first details after 3 deaths; ‘White Subaru Outback’

No threat to the public

On Wednesday, the Utah Department of Public Safety and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office urged residents in and around Torrey, Utah, to remain vigilant while the suspect remains at large.

After the suspect was taken into custody, authorities determined he no longer posed any threat to the community.

“There is no ongoing threat to the public and investigators do not have any outstanding suspects,” the Utah Department of Public Safety said.

BEL signs agreement with Bellatrix to develop extremely low earth orbit satellite system

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March 6, 2026

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BEL signs agreement with Bellatrix to develop extremely low earth orbit satellite system

BENGALURU: State-owned defense electronics major Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has signed an MoU with space technology startup Bellatrix Aerospace to jointly design, develop and manufacture satellite systems and payloads with a focus on the emerging Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) regime.“The agreement aims to combine BEL’s experience in mission-critical electronics and defense payloads with Bellatrix’s expertise in satellite propulsion and subsystems to develop next-generation satellite platforms suitable for VLEO operations,” BEL said on Thursday.VLEO refers to an orbital altitude lower than traditional low Earth orbit, usually between about 150 kilometers and 450 kilometers above the Earth. Satellites operating in the region could provide higher-resolution imaging, lower communications latency and lower launch costs, but would require advanced propulsion systems to combat atmospheric drag.Under the partnership, the two companies plan to develop integrated satellite solutions that can support strategic and civilian space missions. The collaboration is expected to strengthen indigenous capabilities in satellite platforms designed for VLEO operations.BEL said the collaboration reflects a broader effort to combine the manufacturing depth of established public sector companies with the agility and innovation of emerging deep-tech startups in the aerospace sector.“BEL has decades of experience in developing advanced electronics, radar and communication systems for defense and strategic programmes. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Bellatrix Aerospace specializes in electric and green propulsion systems for satellites,” BEL said.The memorandum was exchanged between BEL Managing Director Rashmi Kathuria and Bellatrix Aerospace CEO and Chief Technology Officer Rohan M Ganapathy.Representatives of both organizations said the partnership is expected to accelerate innovation and support the development of indigenous satellite systems tailored for next-generation space missions.

Trump ‘furious’ after Kristi Noem claims he approved $220M ad campaign for DHS: report

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March 6, 2026

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Trump ‘furious’ after Kristi Noem claims he approved $220M ad campaign for DHS: report

What started as a routine Senate hearing quickly turned into a political conundrum for the White House. President Donald Trump reportedly furious after closed-door meeting with Homeland Security secretaries Kristi Noem Under oath, it was suggested he had signed up for a massive $220 million advertising campaign in which her face was prominently displayed. According to National Review, Trump is not thrilled about being thrust into the spotlight for an expensive publicity campaign.“The president gave you early approval to spend $220 million on a nationwide television ad featuring you?” Republican Sen. John Kennedy asked Noem during Tuesday’s hearing.“Yes, sir, we have gone through the legal process—” Noem said.“Did the president know you were going to do this?” Kennedy interjected.Norm answered in the affirmative again many times. “I’m not saying you’re not telling the truth. It’s just hard for me to believe, because I know the president, that you said, ‘President, here are some ads that I cut out and I’m going to spend $220 million to run them,’ and he would agree to that,” Kennedy said. He added, “I don’t think Russ Voight of the Office of Management and Budget” would agree with that.That frustration prompted the president to privately express his willingness to succeed her, National Review reported. One name starting to emerge this week as a potential replacement for him is Oklahoma’s junior U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin.The White House did not respond to National Review’s inquiries late Wednesday. Punchbowl News reported Thursday morning that Trump is asking congressional Republicans whether Noem should be fired.It’s unclear whether Trump, known for publicly floating personnel changes in private conversations with allies, will proceed with his ouster. In addition to demoting former national security adviser Michael Walz to U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Trump has so far resisted any high-profile Cabinet reshuffles in his second term, insisting in early February that he had no plans to remove Noem from office after her handling of a deadly shooting in Minneapolis involving federal officers earlier this year.“I haven’t spoken to the president,” Mullin said during a brief interview in a U.S. Capitol hallway Wednesday if he heard the president was frustrated by Noem’s Senate Judiciary testimony and if he knew he was being considered as a potential successor.The Oklahoma Republican insisted he had not spoken to the White House at all this week. “I haven’t talked to him about the hearing at all, I can’t help you, I’m sorry,” he added before walking onto the Senate floor to vote.For Noem and the department she oversees, the secretary of state’s testimony before Congress is closely watched. The Department of Homeland Security is in a partial shutdown, with congressional Democrats refusing to fund the department over concerns about the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy.The administration sent border czar Tom Homan to negotiate with local Democratic officials to try to ease tensions surrounding immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota. After gaining local cooperation, Homan was able to withdraw federal immigration officials from the state.Noem’s political vulnerabilities came into focus this week, as Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate Judiciary Committees raised pointed questions about how the agency monitors contract allocations, officer training, FEMA reimbursements, special government employees and more.Noem faced a series of questions about Trump’s 2016 campaign manager Corey Lewandowski at two hearings this week. Lewandowski is a close ally of Noem and served as a special government employee as her top aide at the Department of Homeland Security. She denied that Levandowski played a role in approving the contract, a claim that DHS officials privately refuted.After news reports suggested Noem and Lewandowski were romantically involved, multiple House Democrats asked Noem directly during a House Judiciary hearing on Wednesday whether she had ever had sex with him, an allegation she called “complete garbage.”In hearings this week, lawmakers pressed Noem on the contract approval process for the $220 million advertising campaign. The $77 million contract was awarded to People Who Think LLC, owned by Jay Connaughton, who previously worked with Lewandowski on Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry’s gubernatorial campaign, ProPublica reported. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., questioned Noem about a $143 million no-bid contract awarded to Safe America Media, an entity that was formed just days before the contract was awarded. The group then subcontracted a small portion of the $143 million to a strategy firm owned by Ben Yoho, the husband of former Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.“Strategic Group has never had a contract with the Department of Homeland Security,” the political firm wrote in a statement posted on social media after the hearing. “We entered into a subcontract with Safe America for limited production services. Safe America was paid a total of $226,137.17 to shoot five films, produce 45 video commercials and produce six radio commercials. If you want to question our integrity, show us actual evidence – we did.“Asked to comment for this story, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson reiterated that the “relevant, highly targeted international advertising campaign” was “running across eight countries” and “reached more than 46 million people” and played an important role in helping secure the southern border.“The domestic advertising campaign was the most successful in American history. The results speak for themselves: 2.2 million illegal immigrants have been self-deported. ICE arrests and deportations cost American taxpayers an average of $18,000. Even accounting for advertising costs (CBP’s $2,600 exit bonus), self-deportations are 70 percent cheaper than ICE-enforced deportations. The advertising campaign saved U.S. taxpayers more than $39 billion. “Among Noem’s critics during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday was retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who blasted the Homeland Security secretary’s management of the agency.“Why am I disappointed in Secretary Noem? Because we are not going after enough of the people who are causing this damage at the expense of the number of people Stephen Miller wants out of the White House,” he shouted at one point during the hearing. “We just want quantity. We want 1,000 a day, 6,000 a day, 9,000 a day, because quantities matter, right? No, they don’t. Quality matters, not quantity, quality.”“What we are seeing is a disaster under your leadership,” he added.