US President Donald Trump announced the firing of Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) and nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to replace her, effective March 31, 2026. Noem will transition to the role of Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, a new Western Hemisphere security initiative.
Key points
- The 'last straw' for Trump was reportedly Noem's testimony before the Senate Judicial Committee regarding a $220 million taxpayer-funded campaign she claimed Trump approved.
- Mullin is described by Trump as a "MAGA warrior and former undefeated professional MMA fighter" and the only Native American in the Senate.
- Noem had been responsible for enforcing Trump's controversial immigration policies, including mass deportations.
- The change follows months of controversy surrounding Noem's handling of immigration policy, including criticism after ICE agents shot a US citizen in Minneapolis.
Why it matters
This marks the first Cabinet-level termination of Donald Trump's second term, signaling a significant personnel change in the administration's security leadership.
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