Trump Dismisses Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Names Senator Markwayne Mullin as Successor

President Donald Trump has removed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from her position, announcing the decision Thursday and revealing plans to nominate Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin as her replacement.

The president said Mullin is expected to assume the role on March 31, pending confirmation by the Senate. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated the administration intends to move quickly to secure approval for the appointment.

In announcing the decision, Trump thanked Noem for her time leading the department and highlighted some of her work on border security. He also revealed she will transition to a new diplomatic role.

He said she “has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!)” and that she “will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere.”

Sources familiar with the situation said Noem was informed of the decision as she arrived for an event in Nashville, Tennessee. According to individuals with knowledge of the call, Trump personally phoned her to deliver the news.

Shortly after the announcement, Noem publicly thanked the president and spoke about her upcoming responsibilities.

“The western hemisphere is absolutely critical for U.S. security,” she said. “In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise, I forged over the last 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security.”

Her removal follows months of growing pressure both inside the administration and among Republican lawmakers in Congress.

Several controversies had drawn attention to her leadership, including questions about her management decisions, criticism surrounding a major advertising campaign promoting the department, and scrutiny related to incidents involving federal immigration agents.

Some officials privately questioned how long she would remain in the role after several disputes with the White House. One flashpoint involved a decision to temporarily pause TSA PreCheck services during a funding dispute. The move reportedly surprised senior officials and was reversed within hours.

Trump was also reportedly frustrated by her testimony during congressional hearings earlier in the week, particularly comments suggesting the president had approved a department advertising campaign that prominently featured her. Trump later denied having prior knowledge of the campaign, saying, “I never knew anything about it.”

Political pressure had also been building on Capitol Hill.

During a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Republican Senator Thom Tillis sharply criticized the department’s performance under Noem’s leadership.

“Quality matters, not quantity, quality, and what we’ve seen is a disaster under your leadership,” Tillis said.

Another Republican senator, John Kennedy, questioned the handling of the department’s advertising contracts and raised concerns about the cost to taxpayers.

“It troubles me, quarter-fifth to a quarter of a billion dollars in taxpayer money when we’re scratching for every penny and we’re fighting over rescission packages, I just can’t agree with Madam Secretary,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy also pressed Noem about whether the president had approved the ad campaign.

“Did the president know you were gonna do this?” Kennedy asked.

“Yes,” Noem replied.

“He did?” Kennedy pressed.

“Uh huh, yes,” Noem said.

Inside the Department of Homeland Security, some officials said the change had been expected after a series of internal disputes and management complaints.

“I think it’s long overdue. She wasn’t qualified for the position from the beginning,” one official said.

Another described frustration within the agency, saying Noem “paid the price” and accusing her of using the position to benefit her public profile.

Much of the internal tension also centered on Corey Lewandowski, a longtime adviser to Noem who had been serving as a special government employee at the department. Lewandowski developed a reputation for closely overseeing agency operations and personnel decisions.

“People are tired of their shit. Honestly, it’s been unreal,” one official said about the leadership environment at the department.

Lewandowski is expected to leave the agency as Noem departs.

Noem also faced questions during congressional hearings regarding longstanding rumors about her relationship with Lewandowski. She dismissed those allegations, describing them as “tabloid garbage.”

The man chosen to replace her, Senator Markwayne Mullin, has been a strong ally of the president in Congress.

Mullin, who entered the Senate in 2022 after serving five terms in the House of Representatives, has frequently appeared in television interviews defending the administration and has played a role in negotiating legislation among Republican lawmakers.

He also chairs a Senate appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the legislative branch and has been involved in initiatives aimed at strengthening security for members of Congress.

A former mixed martial arts fighter, Mullin is known around Capitol Hill for his intense fitness routines and energetic presence during negotiations.

Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Mullin said he had already spoken with the president but expected more conversations about the role ahead.

“So we’ll talk about it moving forward,” he said, adding that he has “no idea” how the confirmation process will go.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he hopes the confirmation process can begin quickly.

The sudden leadership change comes during a turbulent period for the Department of Homeland Security, which has faced political pressure, internal disputes, and a range of national security challenges.

Meanwhile, speculation has circulated about Noem’s future political ambitions. Some allies previously suggested she could consider running for the Senate in South Dakota.

However, that possibility appears unlikely in the short term due to the fast approaching filing deadline and the president’s endorsement of incumbent Senator Mike Rounds.

Trump previously praised Rounds, calling him “an America First Patriot” and saying he had his “complete and total endorsement for re-election.”

“He will never let you down,” Trump said.