President Donald Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday in the first cabinet shakeup of his second term, moving swiftly to replace her with Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin.
Trump announced the decision on Truth Social after growing frustrated with Noem’s testimony before Congress earlier this week, where she said the president had approved roughly $220 million in advertising campaigns featuring the former South Dakota governor.
“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 wrote.
The sudden move marks the first cabinet-level shakeup since Trump began his second term earlier this year.
The Department of Homeland Security oversees a vast portfolio of federal agencies responsible for domestic security, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Security Administration.
Noem, a former two-term governor of South Dakota and a close political ally of Trump, had been leading the department during a period of intensified immigration enforcement and heightened domestic security concerns.
Her removal follows days of scrutiny over the advertising campaign referenced during her congressional testimony, which reportedly promoted the administration’s immigration and border security initiatives while prominently featuring Noem.
🚨 BREAKING: Sen. MARKWAYNE MULLIN is being named US Secretary of Homeland Security by President Trump, he will replace Kristi Noem
Wow!
"I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the… pic.twitter.com/eO7vBTZtXS
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 5, 2026
Trump’s full TRUTH Social post below:
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. 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.”
Serving 10 years in the United States House of Representatives, and 3 in the Senate, Markwayne has done a tremendous job representing the wonderful People of Oklahoma, where I won all 77 out of 77 Counties — in 2016, 2020, and 2024! A MAGA Warrior, and former undefeated professional MMA fighter, Markwayne truly gets along well with people, and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda. As the only Native American in the Senate, Markwayne is a fantastic advocate for our incredible Tribal Communities. Markwayne will work tirelessly to Keep our Border Secure, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, End the Scourge of Illegal Drugs and, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN. Markwayne will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
This story is developing…
🚨 BREAKING: Trump nominates Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to replace Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary pic.twitter.com/LQxApErVdQ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 5, 2026
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