Investing.com -- U.S President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is replacing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), marking the first Cabinet shakeup of his second term following bipartisan criticism of Noem's leadership at a contentious Senate hearing this week.
The leadership change, effective March 31, 2026, comes just two days after Noem faced harsh criticism from Republican senators during a Tuesday Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) called her leadership a "disaster" and said she demonstrated "anything but" exceptional leadership, according to the Wall Street Journal, which reported the hearing was the final straw for Trump.
In his Truth Social announcement, Trump praised Noem for having "numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!)" while naming her Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, a new Western Hemisphere security initiative set to be announced Saturday in Doral, Florida. However, Trump told Reuters Thursday he was unaware of a controversial $220 million advertising campaign that featured Noem prominently, saying "I never knew anything about it."
Mounting Controversies
Noem's brief tenure was marked by multiple flashpoints that drew bipartisan scrutiny. She faced criticism for initially calling two American citizens killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis "domestic terrorists" rather than backing an investigation. The $220 million advertising campaign, which showed Noem riding on horseback in a cowboy hat, drew particular ire after ProPublica reported that a lucrative advertising subcontract went to the husband of a former DHS spokesperson.
Republicans also criticized Noem over the slow pace of emergency funding through FEMA and the administration's disaster response. Reuters/Ipsos polling showed public support for Trump's immigration enforcement push dropped to its lowest level in January following clashes in U.S. cities and the Minneapolis shooting incident.
Mullin's Background
Markwayne Mullin has served 10 years in the House of Representatives and three years in the Senate representing Oklahoma. Trump described him as "a MAGA Warrior, and former undefeated professional MMA fighter" who "truly gets along well with people." Mullin is the only Native American currently serving in the Senate.
Mullin will need Senate confirmation for the DHS post, though Trump indicated he would begin serving March 31. The timeline raises questions about whether he can legally assume the role before formal confirmation and who will serve as acting secretary during the transition.