Trump fires DHS secretary Kristi Noem, replaces her with Sen. Markwayne Mullin

President Donald Trump took to social media on Thursday to announce that Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin would be replacing Kristi Noem as the Department of Homeland Security secretary. Trump expressed his pleasure in appointing the “Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma” to this crucial position, effective March 31, 2026.

In his announcement, Trump praised Noem for her service as the current Secretary of Homeland Security, acknowledging her numerous and spectacular results, especially in border security. He revealed that Noem would be transitioning to the role of Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, a new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere that was set to be unveiled in Doral, Florida on Saturday.

This decision marked the first Cabinet secretary that Trump had dismissed during his second term in office. Mullin, in response to his new appointment, expressed his excitement about leading DHS and his readiness to get started. He emphasized his focus on keeping the homeland secure and acknowledged Noem as a friend who had been tasked with a challenging job.

When asked about what he could learn from Noem’s tenure, Mullin highlighted the opportunity to build on successes and address areas that may not have gone as planned. Noem, in a separate social media post, thanked Trump for the new appointment and expressed her eagerness to leverage the partnerships and national security expertise she had developed during her time as Secretary of Homeland Security.

The decision to replace Noem with Mullin came after reports emerged that Trump had been considering firing her. Sources revealed that the president was particularly frustrated with Noem’s recent testimony during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, where she implied that Trump had approved a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign. However, a senior administration official clarified that Trump had not signed off on such a campaign.

Republican Sen. John Kennedy confirmed that Trump had called him regarding the matter, indicating a discrepancy in recollections between Noem and the president. The hearing was just one of several incidents that had raised concerns among Trump administration officials and some Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Noem had faced criticism for her handling of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minneapolis following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal law enforcement. This scrutiny led to her removal from leading operations in the state, with Border Czar Tom Homan taking over. Despite these challenges, Noem remained committed to her role and continued to serve the administration.

As Mullin prepared to assume his new position, the administration looked towards a seamless transition and a renewed focus on homeland security under his leadership. The reshuffle in the Department of Homeland Security reflected the administration’s commitment to addressing key national security priorities and ensuring the safety of the American people.