Trump Replaces DHS Chief Kristi Noem With Markwayne Mullin

Washington: President Donald Trump has fired Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, replacing her with Markwayne Mullin, effective March 31.

In a post on Truth Social on Thursday , Trump announced the decision, saying Mullin would take over leadership of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), while Noem would take on a new role as Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a Western Hemisphere security initiative.

“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 (DHS), effective March 31, 2026,” wrote President Trump.We are announcing on Saturday in Doral, Florida, that our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere, The Shield of the Americas, will have Kristi Noem, our current Secretary, as Special Envoy. Noem has done a great job serving us and has produced many amazing results, particularly on the Border. “I am grateful to Kristi for her work at ‘Homeland,'” he continued.

Mullin’s political career, congressional expertise, and consistency with the administration’s policy goals were all commended by Trump.Trump declared, “Markwayne has done an amazing job representing the wonderful People of Oklahoma, where I won all 77 out of 77 Counties in 2016, 2020, and 2024. I served in the US House of Representatives for ten years and the Senate for three.”

Mullin is an ardent backer of the administration’s objectives, according to the President. Additionally, he emphasised Mullin’s status as the sole Native American senator.

“A MAGA Warrior and former undefeated professional MMA fighter, Markwayne gets along with everyone and understands the Wisdom and Courage required to advance our America First agenda. Markwayne is a terrific advocate for our incredible tribal communities, as he is the only Native American in the Senate,” Trump said.

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Trump stated

Trump stated that Mullin would focus border security, illegal immigration, and drug trafficking.Markwayne will work relentlessly to secure our borders, prevent migrant crime, murderers, and other criminals from unlawfully entering our country, end the scourge of illegal drugs, and MAKE AMERICA SAFER AGAIN. Markwayne would be an outstanding Secretary of Homeland Security. Thank you for paying attention to this topic.” Trump elaborated.

Soon after the announcement, Noem expressed gratitude to Trump for naming her Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.

In a tweet on X, she said, “Thank you @POTUS Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.” @SecRubio and @SecWar are excellent leaders, and I look forward to working together with them to demolish cartels that have poured drugs into our country, killing our children and grandchildren.

The Western Hemisphere is critically critical to US security. “In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise that I established during my 13-month tenure as Secretary of Homeland Security,” she said.

During her tenure at DHS, Noem emphasised the department’s “historic accomplishments.”We have made historic accomplishments at the Department of Homeland Security to make America safe again: we delivered the most secure border in American history, 3 million illegal aliens have left the country, 145,000 children have been located, FEMA has delivered disaster relief at a 100% faster rate, we have ushered in the golden age of travel, saved the American taxpayer $13 billion, and revitalised the United States Coast Guard,” she wrote.

After what they called a string of errors, both current and former Homeland Security officials have privately questioned how long she would stay in the position. According to CNN, these included her answers at two congressional hearings earlier this week and a decision to halt TSA PreCheck amid a DHS funding lapse, which was quickly undone.

CNN claims that Trump was dissatisfied with the way the hearings went, especially her accusation that the President knew about the DHS advertising campaign, which he has refuted.

Following the deadly shootings of American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and Noem’s reactions to the events, the dispute grew more heated. Additionally, CNN revealed that Noem’s top aide, Corey Lewandowski, had long been the target of harsh interrogation at the previous congressional hearings, which infuriated some senior White House officials.

Although some saw her departure as inevitable, Homeland Security officials reportedly expressed surprise at Trump’s announcement. It’s long overdue, in my opinion. A Homeland Security officer told CNN that she was unfit for the role from the start.

Noem “paid the price,” according to another official, who accused her of abusing the position for her own benefit.

It was reported that department officials were discussing the news and the future of the organization, which had numerous leadership changes during Trump’s first term in office.People have had enough of their crap. In reference to departmental dissatisfaction with Noem and Lewandowski’s leadership style, one Homeland Security officer told CNN, “Honestly, it’s been unreal.”