About time she did something right.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is drawing national attention after breaking with several Republican colleagues and publicly aligning herself with President Trump’s immigration and border enforcement agenda—a move that has stunned Washington insiders and enraged the political left.
Facing a difficult reelection battle in Democrat-leaning Maine, Collins confirmed this week that she has been in direct discussions with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the state. Rather than joining calls to remove Noem, Collins has chosen to work directly with the Trump administration to address constituent concerns.
“I’m still talking with the secretary,” Collins told reporters Wednesday. She said Noem requested detailed information related to specific cases raised by Maine residents, which Collins has already begun supplying. Additional information, she said, will be forwarded as discussions continue.
Collins’ position sharply contrasts with a small group of Republican senators who have publicly called for Noem’s resignation following recent events in Minnesota. As chair of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, Collins’ refusal to join those demands carries significant weight inside the GOP.
“She is the president’s choice. She was confirmed. She’s there,” Collins said, making it clear she does not support removing a cabinet secretary simply to satisfy political pressure or media outrage.
The controversy erupted after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti during a Border Patrol operation in Minneapolis. The incident has fueled criticism of the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, even as President Trump continues to emphasize strong border security and immigration enforcement as central pillars of his administration.
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina accused Noem of distracting from Trump’s immigration message, arguing that the situation has shifted attention away from border control and national security. “The president won on immigration,” Tillis said. “Now the focus is on leadership mistakes instead of policy success.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska echoed that criticism, stating she would not support Noem again and suggesting new leadership at the Department of Homeland Security.
Collins, however, is signaling that she will not participate in what many conservatives see as political theater that weakens law enforcement and undermines President Trump’s border agenda. Instead, she is emphasizing communication, accountability, and maintaining operational stability within DHS and ICE.
For many conservative voters—particularly older Americans concerned about crime, border security, and respect for federal law—Collins’ stance represents a rare moment of restraint in a volatile political environment. As the immigration debate continues to dominate national headlines, her decision to stand with President Trump underscores the deep divisions within Washington over how best to enforce America’s immigration laws.