USA05 March, 20262 min read
President Donald Trump Fires DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Names Senator Markwayne Mullin
Trump fired Kristi Noem. He named Markwayne Mullin to replace her.
DHS leadership change
President Trump announced he is replacing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, naming Mullin as his nominee.
“President Trump announced he is replacing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, naming Mullin as his nominee and saying Noem will move to a new role as ‘special envoy for the Shield of the Americas,’ a Western Hemisphere security initiative focused on border enforcement and regional cooperation. Trump made the announcement on social media two days after Noem faced intense questioning from both parties at congressional hearings.”
Trump said Noem will move to a new role as "special envoy for the Shield of the Americas," a Western Hemisphere security initiative focused on border enforcement and regional cooperation.
Trump made the announcement on social media two days after Noem faced intense questioning from both parties at congressional hearings.
Several outlets report the change will take effect pending confirmation and, in at least one account, take effect March 31, 2026.
Noem controversy and scrutiny
Noem's ouster followed intense scrutiny of her tenure. Congressional hearings probed two contentious Minneapolis shootings in which US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed during interactions with immigration agents. Democrats introduced impeachment articles.
Critics accused Noem of running a "smear campaign", barring investigators from crime scenes, and implying a coverup. Reports flagged a $220m border-security advertising contract that prominently featured Noem. The reports said the contract drew questions about procurement and Trump's claimed knowledge of the spending.
Mullin nomination and agenda
Trump tapped Senator Markwayne Mullin as his replacement and publicly praised him as a loyal ally expected to sharpen the administration’s immigration and border agenda. Mullin is described in multiple accounts as a member of the Cherokee Nation, a former pro MMA fighter, and a plumbing-business owner who served in the House for a decade before the Senate. He has said DHS needs reform, called the department’s remit a 'very broad jurisdiction,' and has vowed to focus on tightening border security and cracking down on migrant crime and illegal drugs.
“Former Oklahoma Rep. and current Senator Markwayne Mullin has been announced by President Trump as his pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security.”
Mullin nomination developments
Mullin’s nomination triggers Senate confirmation proceedings.
He could serve as acting DHS secretary while awaiting confirmation.
If confirmed, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt would appoint a temporary replacement to fill Mullin’s Senate seat.
The pick lands amid mixed signals from Capitol Hill.
At least one Democrat has signaled support.
Senate leadership has expressed distrust of DHS under Trump.
Some GOP senators who once backed Noem publicly demanded her resignation after criticizing her oversight performance.
Critique of Noem's DHS
The change also reflects a broader critique of Noem's DHS stewardship: reporting cites controversies over DHS contracting and large ad buys, FEMA and disaster-response criticisms, staffing cuts and spending priorities, public polling showing waning support for the administration's immigration approach, and advisers reportedly discussing a need to "recalibrate" enforcement.
“Her tenure drew mounting bipartisan criticism over DHS contracting, disaster response, FEMA funding delays, and the handling of immigration operations.”
Noem's combative hearings and the contract questions are widely reported as key political drivers of her removal and the administration's pivot to Mullin.
