The New Yorker staff writer Jonathan Blitzer joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss Kristi Noem’s removal from her post as Secretary of Homeland Security. They talk about the lead-up to her firing—which included accusations of fiscal mismanagement and self-promotion—and her controversial tenure as the head of one of the largest and most powerful departments during Donald Trump’s second Presidential term. They also explore the history and evolution of the Department of Homeland Security and how its founding in the wake of the September 11th attacks laid the groundwork for the sweeping—and, according to some legal experts, unconstitutional—powers it wields today. This week’s reading: <ul>
<li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/kristi-noems-fireable-offenses">Kristi Noem’s Fireable Offenses</a>,” by Jonathan Blitzer</li>
<li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/how-donald-trumps-iran-war-is-destabilizing-the-gulf">How Donald Trump’s Iran War Is Destabilizing the Gulf</a>,” by Isaac Chotiner</li>
<li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/03/16/the-zombie-regulator">The Zombie Regulator</a>,” by E. Tammy Kim</li>
<li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/what-the-selection-of-irans-new-leader-might-mean-for-the-war">What the Selection of Iran’s New Leader Might Mean for the War</a>," by Robin Wright</li>
<li>“<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-latest-republican-efforts-to-make-it-harder-to-vote-in-the-midterms">The G.O.P.’s Latest Voter-Suppression Plan</a>,” by Sue Halpern </li>
</ul>The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. Tune in to The Political Scene<a href="http://swap.fm/l/tny-tps-extref"> wherever you get your podcasts</a>. 

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