Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is facing public criticism from a former colleague at NovaRed, a Canadian copper and gold exploration company where both are involved. John Ehr, a retired naval officer and current executive at NovaRed, has indicated he is considering his departure if Noem remains with the company.
Ehr, who served 26 years in the U.S. Navy and rose from enlisted seaman to commander, expressed strong disapproval of Noem’s tenure as homeland security secretary under former President Donald Trump. He singled out her hardline immigration policies and use of public funds for high-budget television advertisements as particularly problematic. In one ad, Noem is featured on horseback near Mount Rushmore, warning that illegal border crossers would face consequences, a stance Ehr described as extreme.
During her time as homeland security secretary, Noem defended two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by immigration agents and was criticized for decisions that reportedly delayed federal disaster responses. Ehr characterized her actions as “horrible” and detrimental to immigration policy and civil rights.
Noem’s political career has been marked by controversy. She represented South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019 and served as governor of the state from 2019 until 2025. Ehr also cited personal differences, including disapproval of an incident she recounted in her memoir involving the euthanasia of her pet dog, and her public support of Trump’s comments about potentially annexing Canada as the 51st state. Ehr called these positions “mean-spirited and abusive,” saying that such conduct is inappropriate for a cabinet official.
NovaRed, which is focused on developing a copper project in British Columbia, has a market value near $54 million but is currently not generating revenue. The company reported having just $65,689 in cash as of January, insufficient to cover its projected expenses for the upcoming year. Ehr had initially been attracted to NovaRed due to his interest in copper’s role in defense and electrification sectors.
NovaRed has not responded to requests for comment regarding the internal dispute. Ehr stated he has communicated his concerns to the company and expects a resolution within a week, signaling that he will likely resign if Noem continues in her role. He emphasized the need for cooperation across political lines, suggesting that Noem’s “extreme” views undermine that goal.
The evolving situation at NovaRed highlights tensions emerging from the intersection of politics and corporate governance within a high-stakes resource exploration company.