In a significant shake-up within the Trump administration, President Donald Trump has dismissed Kristi Noem from her role as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Senator Markwayne Mullin has been nominated to succeed her, marking the first major Cabinet change during Trump’s second term.
The catalyst for Noem’s departure was her recent testimony before Congress, where she claimed that President Trump had approved a $220 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign intended to elevate her national profile. This statement, made under oath to Senator John Kennedy, reportedly blindsided Trump.
“I never knew anything about it,” Trump remarked in a conversation with Reuters on Thursday, indicating his surprise at Noem’s assertion.
Adding to the tension, Noem has been embroiled in controversy over allegations of an affair with her senior advisor, Corey Lewandowski, a claim both parties have denied.
Following these events, President Trump swiftly moved to nominate Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, a decision announced later on Thursday.
Later on Thursday, Trump announced that Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma would be nominated to become the next DHS Secretary.
‘I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), effective March 31, 2026,’ Trump posted on Truth Social.
‘The current Secretary, Kristi Noem, who has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!), will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere we are announcing on Saturday in Doral, Florida. I thank Kristi for her service at “Homeland.”’
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem films an ad at Mount Rushmore. The ad was a part of a $220 million campaign to recruit more DHS workers. Noem said Trump signed off on the expense, but the President refuted that
Trump announced that Senator Markwayne Mullin will be nominated to become the next DHS Secretary
The President lauded Mullin for his Native American roots and claimed the Senator ‘will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security.’
Officials within DHS and ICE are celebrating the news of Noem’s departure, sources have revealed to the Daily Mail.
One DHS source told the Daily Mail staff that in the department’s headquarters are cheering the news: ‘Everyone is happy, lots of smiles.’
‘Morale had taken a hit. There’s a feeling among a lot of folks here that the department can finally reset and refocus on operations instead of internal turmoil.’
There’s also an expectation that Corey Lewandowski will follow her out the door. ‘He will go because he knows Mullin will toss him.’ It is unclear if the advisor will depart DHS along with the secretary.
Another DHS insider said Trump had been preparing to fire her for days, but that her performance Tuesday ‘gave him cover’ to do so immediately.
Meanwhile, an ICE official at the department’s headquarters told Daily Mail, ‘Crowds are celebrating. Lots of phone calls. Texts. People stopping by to celebrate.’
A Senate panel grilled Noem about the ad campaign and the process through which the money was allocated for it.
Mullin told reporters hours before Trump’s announcement that he had not talked to the president this week and he wouldn’t weigh in on ‘hypotheticals’ about him replacing Noem
Noem told lawmakers on Tuesday that there was ‘a competitive process’ to award the contract for the campaign and that it was ‘all done correctly, all done legally.’
One of the ads cut from the $220 million project showed Noem wearing a cowboy hat, riding a horse in front of Mt. Rushmore.
Sources close to the president told NBC News on Thursday that Trump was considering firing Noem. Should Trump replace her, Senator Markwayne Mullin may be selected to replace her, the National Review reported the same day.
Pressed on Thursday whether he is under consideration to lead DHS, Mullin dodged the question.
‘Listen, I haven’t talked to the President all week, so I couldn’t even help you with that answer,’ he said.
When asked if he is interested in the job, Mullin again shot down the inquiry.
‘I’m actually absolutely not dealing with hypotheticals,’ he shot back.
Hours after his remarks, Trump announced Mullin would replace Noem.
The ad campaign and the alleged affair are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Noem’s controversies.
The DHS Secretary caught flak earlier this year when her agents shot and killed two Americans – Renee Good and Alex Pretti – during immigration operations in Minnesota.
