Trump Fires Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem After Deaths in Minneapolis Protests

President Trump announced on March 5, 2026 that he had removed Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security and will replace her with Markwayne Mullin effective March 31, with the announcement posted on his social platform Truth.

“Based on facts observed and verified directly by our journalists or by informed sources”

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Boursier described the move as Trump saying he "has removed Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security and will replace her with Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, effective March 31, 2026," and noted Trump made the announcement on his social platform Truth.

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WHYY noted the personnel shake‑up and Mullin’s own social‑media confirmation, reporting "President Trump announced a shake‑up at the Department of Homeland Security: Rep. Markwayne Mullin said on social media Thursday that he has been tapped to replace DHS Secretary Kristi Noem…"

Le Figaro similarly reported the Truth Social post and the March 31 effective date, writing "Former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he has fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, naming GOP Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as her replacement; Mullin will take office on March 31."

Some outlets used the title "President Trump" while Le Figaro used "Former President Donald Trump," and the reports therefore contain a discrepancy over how they referred to Trump.

The firing followed intense scrutiny of Noem’s handling of federal immigration operations after two people — Renée Good and Alex Pretti — were shot and killed in Minneapolis incidents that drew particular criticism for statements Noem made and for ICE and DHS tactics.

Boursier reported that "two Americans—Renée Good and Alex Pretti—were shot and killed by federal agents in separate Minneapolis incidents; Noem called them 'terrorists' before investigations concluded, and videos appeared to contradict the DHS account."

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La Nouvelle République described "tense congressional hearings after the January deaths in Minneapolis of two protesters, Renee Good and Alex Pretti."

USA TODAY summarized that "Noem has been criticized for aggressive immigration enforcement tactics—including ICE operations tied to deadly Minneapolis incidents—and faced calls for impeachment and removal."

Le Figaro also noted scrutiny around the Minneapolis case, saying it involved "anti-ICE protester Alex Pretti [who] was killed by federal agents."

Noem was reassigned by Trump to a new diplomatic/security post he called the "Shield of the Americas," a move described as framing her exit as a continuation of her work even as critics celebrated her removal.

“El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, ha anunciado a través de Truth la destitución de Kristi Noem, responsable de Seguridad Nacional y cara política de la crisis del ICE”

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WHYY reported that "Trump also said he will make Noem a 'Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,' a new Western Hemisphere security role."

USA TODAY noted he "named her Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas; Noem publicly thanked him within an hour and framed the new role as a continuation of her DHS work."

La Nouvelle République also said she "will be reassigned as a 'special envoy' for Latin America."

Le Monde described Noem's immediate public comportment after the announcement, saying that "Half an hour after President Trump fired her in a Truth Social post, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stood at the podium at the Major Cities Conference in Nashville on March 5 and calmly answered questions about immigration, drug trafficking and interagency cooperation."

Noem’s tenure had already drawn rare bipartisan criticism over spending and enforcement tactics, and congressional grilling of her ad campaign and operational decisions helped precipitate the ouster.

l'Opinion wrote that "The Department of Homeland Security secretary came under rare bipartisan criticism — including calls from some Republicans for her to step down — over a $220 million television ad campaign that prominently features her."

La Nouvelle République

Le Figaro reported internal pressure and advisers pushing for removal, saying "Pressure for her removal came from both Democrats and inside the administration; advisers including border official Tom Homan urged her dismissal."

Boursier added that the Minneapolis incidents "prompted a review of federal immigration operations in Minnesota and led House Democrats to pursue (unsuccessfully) impeachment proceedings against her."

Le Monde placed the firing amid larger operational and budget tensions, writing "The ouster comes amid renewed concern about domestic terrorist threats tied to the war in Iran and while DHS is hamstrung by a funding freeze imposed by Democrats."

Reports reflect inconsistent labels and practical questions about Markwayne Mullin’s status and the mechanics of the transition.

“Kristi Noem during her hearing in the House of Representatives, Wednesday, March 4, 2026”

La Nouvelle République

Some outlets identify him as a senator while others describe him as a representative and note downstream effects on a House seat.

laSexta

This represents a direct contradiction among the source articles about Mullin’s current title.

Several outlets said he will need Senate confirmation even as federal vacancy law could let him serve as acting secretary while nominated.

Boursier called him 'Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, effective March 31, 2026,' and La Nouvelle République likewise used 'Senator Markwayne Mullin.'

By contrast, WHYY reported 'Rep. Markwayne Mullin said on social media...' and USA TODAY wrote that his forthcoming departure will trigger a gubernatorial appointment with Gov. Kevin Stitt having 30 days to appoint someone to serve until Jan. 3, 2027.

WHYY also explained the confirmation process, stating that Mullin will require Senate confirmation but, under federal vacancy law, may serve as acting DHS secretary while his nomination is pending.