On March 5th, 2026, Trump issued a statement announcing that Kristi Noem would be leaving her position. Noem has been under fire for her mishandling of the deaths of two American citizens during the ICE operation “Metro Surge” that resulted in the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. During the first year of Trump’s second term, Noem served as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, an agency that the American people strongly protested for its conduct on immigration policies.
Noem came under the latest scrutiny during her congressional hearing. In the hearing, lawmakers asked Noem why she used $220 million in taxpayer money to fund an ad campaign she said Trump personally approved.
Trump told Reuters on Thursday, “I never knew anything about the ad campaign.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem filming an ad at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, Oct. 2, 2025. Tia Dufour | DHS
The most significant legal and political consequences revolve around Governor Noem’s testimony about her top aide, Corey Lewandowski. When questioned about whether Lewandowski had a role in approving Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contracts, she responded with a flat “No.” However, internal DHS records and ProPublica reports later revealed his signature on multimillion-dollar contract routing sheets. This has led to accusations that she lied under oath.
Noem sparked a lively debate after her comments on two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, tragically shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. Even amidst significant pushback and conflicting evidence, she stood firm in her stance, choosing not to apologize for calling them “domestic terrorists.”
Noem has a legacy defined in mistrust and a lack of transparency for the American people, who have fought since the beginning of the second term of Donald Trump for accountability of ICE agents and internal policies.
Amid widespread resident outrage over a warehouse sale, New Jersey residents stand against ICE in Roxbury. DG Roxbury Property Owner, L.P., linked to Dallas-based Dalfen Industrial and a Goldman Sachs asset management fund, sold a 470,000-square-foot warehouse at 1879 Route 46 in Roxbury to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for ICE. The deal closed on February 19, 2026, for $129.3 million, raising concerns about the local community’s future and the influence of corporate and financial interests. The protest drew over 150 people from Roxbury and neighboring towns. With signs held up that said NO ICE and referencing the disgraced Trump admin as equal to nazis many spoke up for what they believed in.
Credit: No ICE North Jersey Alliance. Aerial view of the Roxbury warehouse sold to ICE.
Roxbury Township in Morris County, NJ, is a suburban area with about 23,111 residents as of 2023 and an average age of 43.3. The community is mostly white, comprising roughly 71-80% of the population, and has a median household income of over $130,000. The poverty rate is low, at approximately 5.4%.
The call is clear: get ICE out of New Jersey. The GSA, which oversees the sale and leasing of property, has been contacted and requested documents related to the sale of the warehouse. The agency responded to the request and alerted The Penny Tribune that they will try to release the documents pertaining to another property in Roseland, NJ, as well as the detention facility in Newark, NJ. The GSA confirmed this on February 19th 2026, they would release the files.
A video submitted by a protester shows them walking up to the group of people. A line formed along the street as drivers passed by, witnessing their community standing up for the non-citizen population.
The US and Israel launched their first attack in central Tehran, specifically targeting an area near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The explosions occurred around 9:40 am local time. The conflict with Iran started picking up in January of 2026 when talks with the leadership began failing from the United States to counter the Iranian nuclear program.
In june Trump launched a military operation stating,
“Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” June 21st 2025
Though the conflict between the United States and Iran started in the 19th century when Iran was called Persia, the relationship has been marked by intense hostility since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. This event shifted Iran from a close U.S. ally to a fierce adversary. Major issues include the 1979-1981 hostage crisis, Iran’s backing of regional proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, and U.S. sanctions to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The relationship involves ‘twilight war’ tactics such as cyber attacks, assassinations, and military brinkmanship in the region. Key conflicts include the 1979-1981 hostage crisis, Iran’s support for regional proxies (Hezbollah, Hamas), and U.S. sanctions aimed at stalling Iran’s nuclear program. The relationship is characterized by “twilight war” tactics, including cyber warfare, assassination, and regional military brinkmanship.
In recent years, the conflict has escalated with presidents citing regional risk and the rise of Israel’s power in the region. Conflict between Israel and Iran has been going on for decades as Israel colonizes Palestine, taking more land and genociding the people native to the land.
“As far as I’m concerned, the key here is making sure that this is executed the right way,” Gottheimer said. “We see what’s happened overnight — what’s happened is not just in Iran, but with our allies in Qatar, Bahrain and other attacks. So as far as I’m concerned, what’s key now is making sure that the president briefs the Congress immediately.”
– Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheime February 28th 2026
“the U.S. was “undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests.”
– In a video posted on Truth Social, Donald Trump
While J.D Vance monitored the military operation from the situation room, Trump was at Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Florida. A source close to the White House alerted CBS News of. Donald Trump has golfed 97 days out of 405 days since returning to office (24.0% of the presidency spent golfing). Source: https://didtrumpgolftoday.com/
As of now, CENTCOM confirms there have been no casualties of U.S. personnel and citizens.
Operation Epic Fury was launched early on February 28th, 2026.
“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,”
– Donald Trump
“Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands,”
– Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
By early 2026, amidst escalating tensions, President Trump moved significant naval forces toward Iran. This buildup culminated in a large US-Israel attack announced on February 28, 2026. A “massive armada” was reported heading to the region by January 28, 2026, with the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group shifting from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean on February 12, 2026.
“The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils,”
– Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
Saturday, February 28th, 2026, early morning, Trump and Israel launch a joint military “Operation Epic Fury” targeting major locations in Iran.
Trump Releases press conference
An image from video obtained by CBS News on Feb. 28, 2026, shows air defense rockets launching from near a U.S. military base at Erbil International Airport, in northern Iraq, amid Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting American bases across the Middle East.CBS News
Israel closes airspace to commercial traffic and advises people to shelter in place.
“Following the initial wave of U.S. and partner strikes, CENTCOM forces successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks,”
Iran state TV states over 200 people have been killed in the airstrikes led by the United States and Israel
2:10 PM / February 28, 2026
A U.S. Navy base was struck by an Iranian missile at the Bahrain base. Officials are conducting assessments. No casualties declared.
3:05 PM / February 28, 2026
State Department issues worldwide caution for Americans
3:20 PM / February 28, 2026
Iran’s Supreme Leader is presumed dead after U.S.-Israel strikes, sources say
8:55 PM / February 28, 2026
Iranian state media reports that Supreme Leader Khamenei has been killed in an airstrike
9:35 PM / February 28, 2026
Funeral for Khamenei to be held Sunday
(Live Coverage of Funeral)
11:04 PM / February 28, 2026
Head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, top adviser killed, state-run media says
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and Ali Shamkhani, top advisers to Khamenei, were killed in the attacks on Iran. According to a report by Israeli broadcaster N12. Among the most powerful men in Iran, Pakpour was the IRGC commander for 260 days.
12:49 AM / March 1, 2026
“For the 20th time in the last 24 hours, millions of Israelis run to shelter across Israel under Iranian missile fire,” the IDF wrote on Twitter.
9:49 AM / Mar 1, 2026
CENTCOM confirms three deaths of US forces have occurred. Additional casualties.
