Trump Names Sen. Mullin to Replace Noem as Homeland Security Secretary

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is replacing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, effective March 31, amid ongoing controversies at the department, including a partial shutdown and scrutiny over immigration enforcement operations. 

Noem, a former South Dakota governor, will transition to the role of special envoy for "The Shield of the Americas," a new security initiative in the Western Hemisphere that Trump plans to unveil Saturday in Doral, Florida. 

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Mullin as a "MAGA Warrior" and former undefeated professional MMA fighter who has served 10 years in the House and three in the Senate. Trump highlighted Mullin's representation of Oklahoma, where he won all 77 counties in recent elections, and described him as the only Native American in the Senate and a strong advocate for tribal communities. Mullin, Trump said, will focus on border security, stopping migrant crime, and illegal drugs. 

Trump thanked Noem for her service, noting "numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!)" but did not elaborate on reasons for the change. Noem's tenure has been marked by aggressive immigration enforcement, including over 2 million self-deportations in 2025 and about 670,000 removals of immigrants, which supporters called the most successful operation in history. The department also reported a 97% decrease in illegal crossings and record drug interdictions exceeding half a million pounds in her first year. 

However, her leadership drew criticism from some following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents while they were interfering with deportation operations in Minneapolis in January, sparking protests and investigations. A partial DHS shutdown, ongoing for nearly a month due to congressional funding disputes, has affected agencies like the Transportation Security Administration and Coast Guard. 

During congressional hearings this week, Noem faced questions over a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign promoting self-deportations, which was subcontracted to a firm linked to her associates. Trump denied knowledge of the contract, telling Reuters, "I never knew anything about it." 

Lawmakers also pressed Noem on allegations of an affair with Corey Lewandowski, a Trump campaign figure serving as a DHS special employee, which she denied as "offensive" and "tabloid garbage." 

Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla called for her to "resign or be fired" over ICE operations and detention conditions. Republican Sens. Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski earlier joined calls for her resignation. Noem defended her record, telling lawmakers the department inherited a "disaster" and turned it around. She accused critics of focusing on "photo-ops and luxury jets" while ignoring funding needs.