Trump Fires Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Taps Senator Markwayne Mullin as Replacement
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump abruptly fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, marking the first Cabinet-level dismissal of his second term and signaling growing turmoil inside the administration’s immigration enforcement leadership. Trump announced that he intends to replace Noem with Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, a close political ally who would need Senate confirmation to permanently assume the role leading the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“The current Secretary, Kristi Noem, who has served us well and has had numerous and spectacular results, will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” Trump wrote in a statement announcing the change.
The president said the new envoy role would be tied to a regional security initiative expected to be unveiled during a summit in Doral, Florida.
Fallout Over $220 Million Immigration Ad Campaign
Noem’s removal follows intense scrutiny over a $220 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign promoting DHS immigration enforcement policies, a campaign that prominently featured the former South Dakota governor herself. During a Senate hearing earlier this week, Noem testified that Trump personally approved the campaign before it launched. According to administration officials, that statement angered the president.
“That really upset POTUS,” a White House official told reporters, referring to Noem’s testimony.
Trump later disputed her claim in comments to reporters.
“I never knew anything about it,” the president said.
The advertising campaign drew criticism from both parties in Congress, in part because the ads highlighted Noem personally, including one widely circulated commercial showing her riding a horse in front of Mount Rushmore. Republican senators sharply questioned the spending during a heated oversight hearing.
“A fifth to a quarter of a billion dollars of taxpayer money when we’re scratching over every penny it troubles me,” said Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana.
The controversy quickly escalated into a broader critique of Noem’s leadership at DHS.
Bipartisan Criticism Mounts
Noem faced unusually blunt criticism from Republican lawmakers during the same Senate hearing. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina called her management of the agency a “disaster,” openly challenging her leadership during testimony.
“We’re an exceptional nation, and one of the reasons we’re exceptional is we expect exceptional leadership,” Tillis said. “You have demonstrated anything but that.”
Democrats, who had already criticized Noem for her aggressive immigration enforcement policies, reacted to her removal with little sympathy. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dismissed her tenure outright.
“Good riddance,” Jeffries said after the firing was announced.
Fatal Incidents Added Pressure
Noem’s leadership had already been under intense scrutiny after two U.S. citizens were killed in separate encounters with federal agents enforcing immigration laws in Minnesota earlier this year. The incidents sparked outrage from civil rights advocates and added to the mounting criticism surrounding DHS operations under her leadership. While the administration has not directly linked those deaths to her dismissal, the events intensified congressional oversight of the department and fueled bipartisan calls for accountability.
Personal and Political Controversies
The pressure surrounding Noem also intensified after a contentious congressional hearing in which lawmakers questioned her about her relationship with senior DHS adviser Corey Lewandowski. Lewandowski, a longtime Trump political ally and Noem’s top adviser at the department, will also depart DHS following the shake-up. When asked during the hearing whether she had ever had a sexual relationship with Lewandowski, Noem refused to answer.
“That’s tabloid garbage,” she said.
Despite the controversy, Noem continued with a scheduled speaking engagement in Nashville shortly after her firing was announced, delivering remarks at a law enforcement conference without publicly addressing her dismissal.
Trump Ally Poised to Take Over
Trump’s replacement pick, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, is one of the president’s most loyal allies in Congress and a frequent defender of the administration on television and Capitol Hill. Mullin confirmed that he had just learned about the nomination shortly before speaking to reporters.
“It’s an honor to be nominated,” Mullin said. “We’re excited about it and excited to get to work.”
The Oklahoma senator previously served in the House before winning a special election in 2023 to fill the remainder of longtime Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe’s term. Known for his outspoken style and close relationship with Trump, Mullin has played a visible role in recent Republican policy negotiations and frequently acts as a liaison between House and Senate leadership. Trump praised Mullin in announcing the nomination.
“Markwayne is a MAGA warrior and former undefeated professional MMA fighter who understands the wisdom and courage required to advance our America First agenda,” Trump said.
If confirmed, Mullin would take over one of the most politically volatile departments in the federal government — overseeing immigration enforcement, border security, disaster response, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism.
A Rare Cabinet Shake-Up
The firing stands out because Trump’s second administration had so far avoided the constant Cabinet turnover that defined much of his first term. Noem’s dismissal now signals that internal tensions inside the administration, particularly around immigration enforcement, may be rising again. Her reassignment to the newly created “Shield of the Americas” diplomatic role suggests the White House is attempting to sideline a controversial figure without completely severing ties. Whether Mullin’s nomination stabilizes DHS leadership or opens another chapter of political conflict in Washington, will likely be decided during the Senate confirmation battle ahead.
