Image: from Ukraine Battle Map X @ukraine_map
WASHINGTON D.C. — In the first major Cabinet shake-up of his second term, President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is replacing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The move follows a week of intense bipartisan scrutiny over Noem’s leadership, specifically regarding a controversial mass deportation agenda and recent fatal enforcement actions.
Taking her place is Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), a staunch administration ally and former professional MMA fighter.
A Turbulent Tenure Comes to an End
President Trump announces the ouster of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on Truth Social effective on March 31, 2026
Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) will replace Noem
First cabinet member in the Trump administration to be fired in his 2nd term pic.twitter.com/w0U2KvCioS
— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) March 5, 2026
Noem’s departure, effective March 31, comes on the heels of a “disastrous” series of congressional hearings. The former South Dakota governor faced blistering criticism from both sides of the aisle concerning:
-
The Minneapolis Shootings: Bipartisan outrage erupted following the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, at the hands of federal immigration officers in Minnesota. Noem’s initial characterization of the victims as “domestic terrorists” was later contradicted by video evidence.
-
Ad Campaign Controversy: Lawmakers questioned a $220 million DHS advertising campaign that prominently featured Noem’s face. Tensions reportedly peaked when Noem testified under oath that the President had personally signed off on the expenditure—a claim Trump subsequently denied.
-
The “Cricket” Anecdote: During hearings, Republican Senator Thom Tillis even brought up Noem’s 2024 autobiography account of killing her dog, Cricket, citing it as a reflection of her fitness for office.
Thank you @POTUS Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. @SecRubio and @SecWar are incredible leaders and I look forward to working with them closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) March 5, 2026
The New DHS Chief: Senator Markwayne Mullin
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump praised Mullin as a “MAGA Warrior” and a “Highly Respected” leader.
“Markwayne truly gets along well with people and knows the wisdom and courage required to advance our America First agenda,” the President wrote. He highlighted Mullin’s background as the only Native American in the Senate and his record as an “undefeated professional MMA fighter” as evidence of his toughness.
Mullin is expected to take over the agency as it navigates a partial government shutdown and a stalemate over immigration funding. While his nomination requires Senate confirmation, he is permitted to serve as acting secretary once the formal process begins.
A “Strategic” Demotion for Noem
Despite the firing, the President maintained a public display of professional courtesy, stating that Noem “has served us well” and achieved “spectacular results on the border.”
Rather than leaving the administration entirely, Noem has been appointed as the Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas.” This new security initiative, focused on the Western Hemisphere, is set to be officially unveiled this Saturday at an event in Doral, Florida.
Mixed Reactions on the Hill
Democratic leaders were quick to welcome the change, though they cautioned that a new face does not necessarily mean a new direction.
-
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released a brief statement: “Good riddance. But the problems at this agency transcend any one person. The rot is deep.”
-
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), who had been a vocal critic of Noem, praised the choice of Mullin, adding a dry jab at the outgoing secretary: “Another big positive—he likes dogs.”
As of Friday morning, Noem has thanked the President for her new assignment, touting “historic accomplishments” during her 13 months at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security.