President Donald Trump has let go of his Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, following increased backlash over her leadership of the agency, including the management of the Trump administration’s immigration operations.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump revealed that he is nominating Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to take her place starting Mar. 31, 2026. The decision comes two days after Secretary Noem testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, facing bipartisan pushback over the department’s actions.
“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, our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere we are announcing on Saturday in Doral, Florida,” President Trump announced in the social media post.
Secretary Noem is the first Cabinet secretary to leave during President Trump’s second term, leaving a turbulent occupancy in which she oversaw the largest immigration crackdown in U.S. history, which has faced increased backlash from federal and state lawmakers and demonstrators across the country.
In addition, Secretary Noem faced bipartisan criticism for the agency’s mishandling of emergency funding approved through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its response to disasters.
Prior to President Trump’s announcement, Secretary Noem went on stage to address a DHS event, in which she read from prepared statements and reinforced President Trump’s remarks from the State of the Union address, yet she did not shed light on her firing.
Despite the nomination, Sen. Mullin still needs Senate confirmation. Under federal law governing executive branch vacancies, he would still have the authority to serve as interim DHS secretary as long as his nomination awaits a decision.
“Markwayne will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” President Trump praised.
