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Former DHS Employee Sues Over Termination and Free Speech

1/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Brandon Wright, a former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employee, filed a lawsuit claiming his termination violated his First Amendment rights after off-duty comments about Kristi Noem.
The suit says a woman he met on Bumble secretly recorded their conversation and posted it online.
DHS placed Wright on administrative leave in January 2025 and terminated him January 8, 2026 for conduct unbecoming.

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Story summary

Brandon Wright, a former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employee, filed a lawsuit claiming his termination violated his First Amendment rights after off-duty comments about Kristi Noem.
The suit says a woman he met on Bumble secretly recorded their conversation and posted it online.
DHS placed Wright on administrative leave in January 2025 and terminated him January 8, 2026 for conduct unbecoming.