*President Donald Trump announced Thursday he is replacing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem with Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, effective March 31, 2026—marking the first Cabinet ouster of his second term.
The announcement on Truth Social follows mounting criticism of Noem’s leadership, including a tough congressional grilling this week where she faced bipartisan backlash over border security, departmental contracts, and a controversial $220 million ad campaign.
Why Noem Was Ousted
Trump praised Noem for “numerous and spectacular results” and announced she will transition to Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a new Western Hemisphere security initiative set to be unveiled Saturday in Doral, Florida.
However, the firing was precipitated by Noem’s testimony before Congress regarding a $220 million ad campaign urging illegal immigrants to voluntarily deport themselves—conducted largely in English. During hearings, Noem claimed Trump personally approved the ad buy. “We had that conversation, yes,” she told lawmakers.
Hours before announcing her firing, Trump directly contradicted her in a phone interview. “I never knew anything about it,” Trump told Reuters. A White House official reinforced this, stating, “POTUS did not sign off on a $220 MILLION dollar ad campaign. Absolutely not.”
Scroll to continue reading
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who grilled Noem over the contracts, told reporters Trump’s recollection and Noem’s “are different.”
Mounting Controversies
Noem’s tenure faced intense scrutiny beyond the ad campaign. She drew bipartisan criticism following the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, labeling the deceased as “domestic terrorists”—a characterization that conflicted with video evidence.
She also clashed with the department’s inspector general, who accused Noem of “systematically obstructing” investigations. Republican senators, including Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski, had called for her resignation as early as January.
“The severe damage she caused is already done,” said Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-N.Y.). “Long before she was fired, Kristi Noem trampled on our constitutional rights and established a culture of cruelty at DHS.”
Enter Markwayne Mullin
To replace Noem, Trump nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin, describing him as a “MAGA Warrior” and former undefeated professional MMA fighter. Trump highlighted Mullin’s decade in the House and three years in the Senate, his advocacy for Tribal communities as the Senate’s only Native American member, and his commitment to border security and the “America First Agenda.”
Mullin, 48, a member of the Cherokee Nation, has focused on energy, veterans’ affairs, and national security in Congress. He is considered close to Trump, who noted they speak regularly.
The nomination received rare bipartisan praise, with Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) calling Mullin “a good dude.”
Mullin requires Senate confirmation but can serve as acting secretary once his nomination is formally pending. Until March 31, Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar will serve as acting secretary.
What’s Next
Noem’s new role with “The Shield of the Americas” remains undefined, with details expected Saturday. Her departure comes as DHS enters its third week of shutdown due to Congress’s failure to pass a spending bill—leaving many employees working without pay.
The turnover signals that despite Trump’s public praise, performance—and perceived loyalty in public testimony—remains paramount in his administration. As one White House official’s swift denial of Noem’s claims made clear, even Cabinet members are not immune to the president’s insistence on being the final word.
Noem has not yet publicly commented, though speculation continues about a potential response.
(If You Like/Appreciate This EURweb Story, Please SHARE it!)
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: HBCU Marching Bands Salute Michael Jackson as ‘MICHAEL’ Biopic Sparks New Tributes
We Publish Breaking News 24/7. Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
