Trump Fires Homeland Security Secretary Noem, Nominates Markwayne Mullin

President Donald Trump has removed Kristi Noem from her position as Homeland Security Secretary, citing mounting criticism of her leadership. Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin has been nominated to replace her, effective March 31, 2026.

Noem’s Tumultuous Tenure

Noem’s departure follows a period of controversy surrounding her handling of immigration enforcement and the response to recent natural disasters, including deadly floods in Texas. Her leadership faced protests and legal challenges according to the Associated Press.

Mullin’s Nomination

Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, was announced as Trump’s nominee on Thursday. Mullin stated his intention to focus on “protecting the homeland” if confirmed as reported by the AP. Trump has reportedly praised Mullin’s television appearances and frequently sought his input according to CNN.

Transition Details

Noem was informed of her firing by President Trump while traveling in Nashville, Tennessee. She subsequently acknowledged the decision in a social media post. CNN reports that Noem will transition to a new role as “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” leading a new security initiative in the Western Hemisphere. The White House intends to expedite Mullin’s confirmation process as stated by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Reasons for the Change

An administration official cited “a culmination of her many unfortunate leadership failures” as the reason for Noem’s removal, including issues related to Minnesota, an advertising campaign, allegations of infidelity, staff mismanagement, and conflicts with other agency heads like CBP and ICE according to NBC News. The official emphasized that these issues had overshadowed the administration’s immigration agenda.

President Trump announced the changes via his Truth Social account as reported by NBC News and PBS NewsHour.