President Donald Trump abruptly fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, announcing that Sen. Markwayne Mullin will take over the powerful post at the United States Department of Homeland Security beginning March 31.
Trump revealed the shake-up in a social media post, praising Mullin as a “highly respected” senator while quietly pushing Noem out of one of the administration’s most controversial roles.
“I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security,” Trump wrote.
Noem, meanwhile, isn’t leaving the administration entirely. Trump said she will be moved into a newly created position: Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a security initiative the president plans to unveil this weekend in Doral, Florida.
“The current Secretary, Kristi Noem, who has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!), will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” Trump wrote, thanking her for her service at “Homeland.”
But behind the polite language, Noem’s exit follows months of growing backlash over her leadership.
Lawmakers from both parties have sharply criticized Noem over the administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown — including a series of federal operations that ended in tragedy when two Americans were fatally shot by federal agents.
Her tenure also sparked outrage after reports that the department spent $220 million in taxpayer money on a splashy advertising campaign that prominently featured Noem riding a horse while wearing a cowboy hat — a move critics blasted as political self-promotion at public expense.
The controversy fueled mounting calls on Capitol Hill for accountability over what some lawmakers described as a “failure of leadership” at the agency.
Now, Trump is handing the job to Mullin, a close political ally, as the administration attempts to reset its message amid escalating criticism.
The White House has not yet released additional details about Mullin’s transition or the scope of Noem’s new role.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
