President Donald Trump Fires Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem After Immigration Agents Kill Two Americans

President Donald Trump removed Kristi Noem from her role at the Department of Homeland Security and announced a senior replacement while reassigning Noem to a regional envoy post.

“South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been reassigned to the role of "special envoy for the Shield of the Americas" following weeks of bipartisan criticism and a tense congressional hearing over her handling of immigration and emergency disaster funds”

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Multiple outlets report the administration framed the move as an ouster tied to mounting criticism, saying "President Trump has fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, citing criticism of her leadership on immigration enforcement, disaster response and department spending."

- Rezo Nòdwès

Other reporting characterized Noem’s departure as a reassignment to a new hemispheric security role, saying "Kristi Noem is resigning as U.S. secretary of homeland security after 13 months to become special envoy for the Trump administration’s new hemispheric security initiative, 'Shield of the Americas.'"

Coverage noted the personnel change was announced alongside the naming of a successor, reporting that "President Trump abruptly removed Gov. Kristi Noem from a Homeland Security–related post, named Sen. Markwayne Mullin as her interim replacement, and reassigned Noem to a regional 'Shield of the Americas' envoy role."

One major outlet summarized the immediate personnel move as the president nominating a senator to run DHS after Noem’s withdrawal amid controversy, reporting "President Trump has nominated Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R‑Okla.) to be secretary of Homeland Security after Gov. Kristi Noem (R‑S.D.) withdrew her nomination amid criticism over a $220 million advertising contract."

The reporting contains contradictions—some outlets describe Noem's exit as a firing or ouster, others as a resignation or reassignment, and some describe both an interim replacement and a formal nomination—so readers should understand the accounts present differing characterizations.

The firing followed a highly controversial immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis that left two U.S. citizens dead and provoked widespread scrutiny of DHS actions and public statements.

Several outlets identified the victims and the operation as central to the backlash, citing the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and saying those incidents generated demands for investigation and accountability.

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Critics, according to multiple reports, alleged that the operation and the administration’s initial characterizations were flawed and that officials had prematurely labeled the killed civilians in ways that inflamed public outrage.

"The article says critics argue a recent federal operation wrongly labeled two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, as 'domestic terrorism' after they were fatally shot by federal agents."

Coverage emphasised that video and witness accounts complicated the official account and intensified calls for probes and congressional oversight.

Noem’s tenure had already been under intense congressional scrutiny and criticism over spending and messaging, especially a contested advertising campaign and her Senate testimony, and those fights were cited as proximate causes for her removal.

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Multiple outlets highlighted the disputed $220 million (or $200 million in some reports) contract as a flashpoint.

Reporting described "sustained criticism over a $220 million ad campaign" and noted that Noem told senators she had informed the president about the ads while the White House denied approval.

Coverage also stressed that Noem’s combative hearing testimony and high-profile missteps drew bipartisan complaints and even impeachment threats.

Those missteps included her public labeling of the Minneapolis victims and other controversial statements, which coverage said contributed to the controversies.

One report wrote that "South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem resigned from a Department of Homeland Security position amid controversies including ... her labeling of two Minnesota protesters killed by federal agents as 'domestic terrorists,' and criticism of a disputed $220 million DHS ad campaign."

The personnel change unfolded amid a broader political fight over DHS funding and oversight, with lawmakers from both parties warning that turnover alone would not fix systemic problems.

Reporting documented a funding standoff as lawmakers sought enforcement reforms: "House and Senate Democrats are withholding additional Department of Homeland Security funding pending agreement on major ICE reforms, producing a funding standoff."

Al Jazeera

Progressives and Democrats said reassignments were insufficient, while some Republicans called for quick replacements to restore stability: "Homeland Security personnel reassignments drew mixed reactions: some Democrats and progressive activists welcomed them, but many lawmakers renewed sharp criticism of DHS."

Coverage also tied the shakeup to operational and managerial critiques during a partial DHS funding lapse: "Bipartisan criticism of policy and operational failures during a partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown led to Noem's firing, though Democrats say the shutdown resulted from withholding new funding to pressure reforms of ICE practices."

President Trump named Senator Markwayne Mullin as his nominee to take over DHS.

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Al Jazeera

Media outlets tracked the likely confirmation fight and policy implications of the choice.

Al Jazeera

Coverage quoted administration announcements and described Mullin as a close Trump ally and an outspoken hard‑liner on immigration.

One report said the administration nominated Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin as a close ally who would work closely with the White House and that Noem would be named a 'Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas.'

Profiles noted Mullin’s background and touted his pledge to prioritize border security and tougher enforcement.

Those profiles quoted him pledging immediate, hardline border measures to block migrants, criminals and illegal drugs.

Commentators and local outlets flagged Mullin’s prior conduct and the contentious confirmation dynamics ahead.

One article said Markwayne Mullin (R‑OK) will replace Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security after Noem’s early retirement and called the departure long overdue.

Several outlets added that Mullin would need Senate confirmation and could serve in an acting capacity while the process moves forward.

President Trump announced on Truth Social that he will remove the current Homeland Security secretary effective March 31 and plans to nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R‑Okla.) to the post, noting the nomination will require Senate confirmation.