Trump Fires DHS Chief Kristi Noem, Taps Sen. Markwayne Mullin to Take Over
President Donald Trump said Thursday he is removing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and replacing her with Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a major cabinet shake-up during his second term.
The move comes after days of mounting scrutiny of Noem’s leadership and a series of tense congressional hearings that intensified pressure on the administration’s immigration strategy.
According to the Associated Press and CBS News, Trump announced the change on social media, saying Mullin will take over the Department of Homeland Security effective March 31, pending Senate confirmation.
Noem will not leave the administration entirely. Trump said she will become “Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” a new regional security initiative expected to be unveiled during an upcoming announcement in Florida.
Trump wrote that Noem delivered “spectacular results, especially on the border,” while confirming her shift to the new role.
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The leadership change follows weeks of criticism over DHS policies, including disputes about immigration enforcement operations and department spending that surfaced during congressional hearings.
Lawmakers from both parties questioned several decisions made under Noem’s leadership, adding political pressure as the administration continues its broader immigration crackdown.
Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma and former House member, will need Senate confirmation to permanently assume the position. His appointment could reshape the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement and homeland security operations.
For now, attention in Washington is shifting to the confirmation process and what policy direction the new DHS leadership may take.
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