WASHINGTON, D.C. –
President Donald Trump has announced the removal of Kristi Noem as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following mounting criticism of her leadership and two tense congressional hearings.
Noem will leave her position at the end of March, becoming the first major Cabinet departure of Trump’s second presidential term. Trump announced that he intends to nominate Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as her replacement.
In a statement published Thursday on Truth Social, Trump announced that Mullin would assume the position effective March 31, 2026.
Trump also revealed that Noem would take on a new role as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a proposed Western Hemisphere security initiative.
Congressional Hearings Increase Pressure on Noem
The announcement followed two days of contentious hearings before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, where lawmakers questioned Noem about her leadership at DHS, immigration enforcement policies, and the department’s handling of controversial incidents.
Among the most serious issues discussed were the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minnesota, which generated widespread public scrutiny and questions about federal immigration enforcement operations.
Controversial $200 Million Advertising Campaign
Noem also faced intense questioning regarding a publicly funded advertising campaign costing more than $200 million, designed to encourage undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the United States.
The campaign attracted criticism for featuring Noem prominently in television advertisements, including footage of her riding a horse near Mount Rushmore.
A ProPublica investigation raised concerns about the contracting process, reporting that DHS awarded advertising contracts to a company with longstanding personal and business connections to Noem and senior department officials.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana questioned the campaign’s effectiveness, suggesting that it had primarily served to increase Noem’s personal name recognition.
Noem maintained that President Trump had authorized the advertising campaign. However, Trump subsequently disputed that assertion, telling Reuters on Thursday that he knew nothing about it.
Markwayne Mullin to Take Over DHS
The nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin signals a significant leadership change at the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees border security, immigration enforcement, FEMA, the Secret Service, and other critical national security agencies.
Mullin’s appointment was subject to Senate confirmation at the time of Trump’s announcement. He was subsequently confirmed and sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security on March 24, 2026.
Noem’s departure marks a significant moment in Trump’s second administration, following weeks of political controversy and growing questions about the department’s leadership and immigration enforcement policies.
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