Phil Ehr, a retired U.S. Navy commander, resigned from the advisory board of Vancouver-based NovaRed Mining Inc. following the company’s recent appointment of former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem as a strategic adviser. Ehr cited fundamental disagreements with Noem’s political record as the primary reason for his departure.

Noem, who had been dismissed from her cabinet position by former President Donald Trump in March, has remained a polarizing figure due to her tenure overseeing aggressive immigration enforcement policies. Her time at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) included controversy over two fatal shootings involving U.S. citizens by federal agents, as well as scrutiny surrounding a $220 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign that prominently featured her horseback riding near Mount Rushmore.

Ehr, who is currently campaigning for a seat in the U.S. Congress as a Democrat, expressed that working alongside Noem, whose tenure he described as marked by conduct and abuses, was no longer tenable. In an email, he said the ethical concerns surrounding her leadership at DHS made continued association impossible on principle. While Ehr indicated a willingness to collaborate across party lines, he emphasized that Noem’s positions on various issues crossed a moral boundary for him.

NovaRed Mining, a small mining exploration firm, had announced Noem’s appointment last month, drawing international attention due to her high-profile and contentious political background. Ehr reportedly informed the company several weeks ago that he would resign if Noem remained on the board. His resignation, which took effect on Wednesday, was confirmed by Ehr, though NovaRed declined to comment on the matter.

During his 26-year naval career, Ehr undertook classified reconnaissance missions during the Cold War and provided combat support in the Gulf War. His decision to leave NovaRed underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding Noem’s post-government career moves, which continue to generate debate within political and industry circles.

Noem, who has also written about personal aspects of her life—such as shooting her 14-month-old dog due to aggressive behavior—and who publicly supported Trump’s controversial remarks about incorporating Canada as the 51st U.S. state, remains a figure of intense political discourse. Ehr’s departure from the advisory board highlights the broader challenges companies face when appointing politically divisive figures to influential roles.