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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s relationship with U.S. Coast Guard officials has reportedly become increasingly strained during her tenure, which began in early 2025. Sources indicate that tensions stem from early decisions made by Noem, including a controversial directive to reallocate Coast Guard resources from a search-and-rescue mission to focus on deportations.

According to multiple U.S. Officials, including a current Coast Guard official and a former official, Noem’s leadership style has created a split within the Coast Guard. While many frontline members appreciate her efforts to highlight their work through direct engagement during operations, senior officials have expressed concern that her approach detracts from the Coast Guard’s traditional missions. This divide has intensified amid a reported tenfold increase in the use of Coast Guard aircraft for immigrant deportations, a shift that has significantly strained their already limited resources.

The increase in aircraft utilization for deportations, tracked by ICE Flight Monitor, has led to concerns from within the Coast Guard. “It puts so much stress on the Wing,” said a Coast Guard official, referring to the aviation units. New guidance issued to Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento reportedly prioritizes transporting detained immigrants over search-and-rescue operations, a fundamental change in mission focus that has raised alarms among senior officials.

Shift in Priorities Raises Concerns

Sources reveal that Noem’s focus on meeting the Trump administration’s deportation quotas is expected to further impact Coast Guard operations. The air station, responsible for a significant number of deportation flights, has been instructed to prioritize the transport of detained immigrants on its C-27 aircraft. This directive has relegated search-and-rescue operations, which have long been the Coast Guard’s core mission, to a lower priority.

With the backdrop of President Trump’s mass deportation policies, Noem’s directives reflect a lesser-known aspect of the ongoing fallout regarding immigration enforcement. Coast Guard officials have privately voiced their concerns regarding the reallocation of resources to support the administration’s priorities, leading to escalating tensions that have sometimes resulted in confrontations.

Contentious Incidents Highlight Growing Frustration

In a notable incident this past May, Noem’s top adviser, Corey Lewandowski, reportedly confronted Coast Guard flight staff over a personal item left behind during a flight, threatening to terminate their positions. This incident has contributed to a climate of unease within the Coast Guard, with one former official describing an atmosphere of “maintain your head down; you don’t want to be on the firing line.”

A spokesperson for the Coast Guard has referred all inquiries about these tensions to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has denied allegations of prioritizing deportation over search-and-rescue missions. “The Coast Guard is always ready to respond to search and rescue missions and it carefully balances all operations and mission requirements,” a DHS spokesperson stated.

Impact on Coast Guard Operations and Morale

The situation within the Coast Guard reflects a deeper cultural shift, as the agency’s primary mission appears to be transitioning from search-and-rescue operations to border security under Noem’s leadership. This change has reportedly led to low morale among Coast Guard personnel, with some officials expressing concerns about the agency’s focus on immigration enforcement.

Under Noem’s management, over 750 Coast Guard flights have been redirected from their traditional missions to assist in deportation efforts, with flights carrying migrants increasing significantly—from 14 in June 2025 to 149 by November 2025, according to data from ICE Flight Monitor.

Political Backdrop and Congressional Response

Noem, a former governor of South Dakota, assumed her high-profile role amid a clear mandate from Trump to ramp up immigration enforcement. Despite her Senate confirmation, which received bipartisan support, several of the Democratic senators who backed her have since expressed regrets over their decision, citing her management of the Coast Guard as a significant concern.

The administration’s immigration enforcement strategies have drawn scrutiny amidst ongoing raids in major U.S. Cities, prompting protests and further complicating Noem’s position. Recently, she has faced backlash for her responses to fatal police incidents involving civilians, which have heightened tensions around her leadership.

What Lies Ahead for Noem and the Coast Guard

As Noem continues to navigate the complexities of her role, the implications of her decisions on the Coast Guard’s operations remain to be seen. The ongoing focus on deportation and border security may further strain resources and morale within the agency, which has traditionally been viewed as a life-saving service.

Looking forward, it will be crucial to monitor how the DHS and Coast Guard manage these competing priorities, especially in light of the upcoming operational demands and the agency’s core mission of search and rescue. The situation highlights the delicate balance required in national security policies and the impacts on service members tasked with enforcement duties.

Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts on the shifting priorities within the Coast Guard and Noem’s leadership. How do you think these changes will affect the agency’s effectiveness?