Kristi Noem finally pushed our 47th president to his breaking point. In the first shakeup of his second-term cabinet, President Trump announced today that Kristi Noem was out as Department of Homeland Security Secretary. She is being replaced by staunch Trump ally Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).
This comes after Noem’s raucous appearance before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, where she grilled about things such as the conduct of immigration officers, a questionable department ad, and her personal relationship with another DHS staffer. The fact that some of the hardest lines of questioning came from Republican lawmakers no doubt hastened Noem’s departure.
Noem Out, Mullins In
In making his announcement today, Trump said this about Mullin.
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.
“He is a MAGA Warrior, and a 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. Markwayne will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Noem leaves a department that, since the dawn of the president’s second term, has seen years of professional knowledge walk out the door through terminations and departures of key staff members.
Under her leadership, DHS has transformed from an agency responsible for anti-terrorism, disaster relief, and prevention, security for the US’s transportation routes, maritime safety, and sea rescue, through the Coast Guard, and the mitigation of weapons of mass destruction to an agency almost solely focused on immigration, customs, and border patrol.
Ice Barbie’s Numerous Problems
Noem’s performance had come under even more scrutiny after Immigration and Customs officers stationed in Minneapolis shot and killed peaceful protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti. These actions led to the reassignment of Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino and the appointment of Border Czar Tom Homan to oversee the deployment in Minnesota. Since the change, there has been a rapid decrease in the number of federal agents stationed in the state.
This week at the committee hearings, Trump was angered when Noem was caught lying when she said that the president had authorized a $220 million ad campaign imploring migrants to self-deport. She was also questioned about the nature of her relationship with DHS Special Advisor Corey Lewandowski, who many inside sources claim the two have had an intimate relationship, though both have repeatedly denied the accusations.
Noem’s fiscal management of the agency has also come under question due to her use of the DHS airplane and her residence at the Coast Guard Commandant’s quarters. The DHS Secretary has also drawn the ire of Trump’s chief of staff and long-time confidant Susie Wiles. There has even been discussion about possible replacements for Ms. Noem. The names most frequently mentioned were former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Fox News contributor and former Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz.
Trump on Noem and What’s Next
On his social media site “Truth Social,” Trump said this about Noem. “I want to thank Kristi for her service. “She has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!) and that she will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere.”
Noem has been kicked off the MAGA island, never to return. The president loves combative subordinates but not those who could damage him and his legacy. She’s the first out the door, but certainly not the last. The next one to depart the administration will likely be FBI Director Kash Patel or Attorney General Pam Bondi. Both have frequently brought on unfriendly media scrutiny of the Trump administration.
