WASHINGTON — In the first major personnel shakeup of his second term, President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is replacing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The move follows months of escalating bipartisan criticism over her leadership, specifically regarding the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by federal agents and her subsequent labeling of the victims as “domestic terrorists.”
Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma and a staunch Trump ally, has been named as her successor and is expected to take over the department on March 31, 2026. Noem will transition into a new role as a “Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” a security initiative focused on the Western Hemisphere.
A Tenure Defined by Conflict
Kristi Noem, the former Governor of South Dakota, was confirmed as the 8th Secretary of Homeland Security in January 2025. Her mission was clear: execute the administration’s aggressive mass deportation and border security agenda. However, her 14-month tenure was quickly overshadowed by violent incidents and accusations of misinformation.
The “ouster” comes on the heels of the “Minneapolis Crisis.” In January 2026, federal agents under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during immigration enforcement operations. Within hours of the incidents, Noem took to social media and news outlets to label the deceased as “domestic terrorists,” claiming they had attacked officers.
However, bystander video and internal reports soon contradicted her narrative. The backlash was swift. Democratic leaders, joined by a growing number of Republicans, accused Noem of “blatant lies” and “abject failure of leadership.”
The Breaking Point
While Noem initially retained the President’s public support, the political cost became untenable this week. During a high-stakes Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on March 3, 2026, Noem faced a grilling from both sides of the aisle.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) described her leadership as a “disaster,” while Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) suggested it was time for her to step down. Beyond the Minneapolis shootings, Noem was also under fire for:
- Budgetary Mismanagement: A $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign that heavily featured Noem.
- Operational Failures: A partial DHS shutdown caused by a failure to negotiate a budget deal amidst the immigration crackdown.
- Contracting Scandals: Allegations regarding a $143 million contract awarded to a firm with ties to her top advisers.
The Replacement: Senator Markwayne Mullin
In choosing Senator Markwayne Mullin, President Trump is opting for a veteran politician with a background in the military and private business. Mullin, a former MMA fighter and plumber who rose to the U.S. Senate, is known for his “America First” credentials and his hands-on approach to security.
Mullin is expected to prioritize a “targeted” approach to immigration enforcement to avoid the violent urban clashes that defined Noem’s final months. His primary challenge will be restoring morale within an agency that has been without consistent funding and under heavy legal scrutiny.
Noem’s Legacy and Next Steps
Noem’s departure as Secretary marks the end of a meteoric and often polarized rise in national politics. Before her time at DHS, she served as the first female Governor of South Dakota, where she gained national fame for her “hands-off” approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. She resigned that post in January 2025 to join the Cabinet, leaving Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden to succeed her as the 34th Governor of South Dakota.
As “Special Envoy,” Noem will remain in the administration’s orbit, but her days leading the nation’s largest law enforcement apparatus are over.
- News Sources and Links
- The Guardian: Donald Trump to replace homeland security secretary Kristi Noem
- Associated Press / The Intelligencer: Trump says he’s replacing Homeland Security Secretary Noem with GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin
- BNN Bloomberg: Trump taps U.S. Senator Mullin to replace Noem as DHS chief
- PBS NewsHour: Homeland Security’s Kristi Noem faces rising calls for her firing or impeachment
- South Dakota State News: Governor Rhoden Receives Governor Noem’s Resignation Letter
- CBS News: Noem slammed by senators of both parties as Tillis calls her leadership “a disaster”
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