President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is replacing Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, naming Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin as her successor effective March 31, 2026. Noem will move to a newly created diplomatic post as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a Western Hemisphere security initiative Trump said he will formally unveil Saturday at his Doral, Florida resort.
Trump announced the shakeup in a post on Truth Social, framing it as a promotion of sorts for both officials while making clear that Mullin is the man he wants leading DHS going forward.
"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, effective March 31, 2026," Trump wrote. "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.'"
Why the Change?
The move comes amid reports that Trump had grown frustrated with Noem in recent days, particularly following her testimony before Congress this week. During her appearance on Capitol Hill, Noem testified that Trump had approved a $220 million advertising campaign for DHS that prominently featured her — a claim Trump publicly disputed, saying he "never knew anything about it." The New York Post reported that Trump was furious with Noem over the testimony.
Noem's congressional appearance also drew scrutiny over questions about her job performance as DHS Secretary and allegations of a personal relationship with Corey Lewandowski, a special government employee working for the White House. Noem pushed back sharply on the latter line of questioning.
"I am shocked that we're going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee today," Noem said in response. "He is a special government employee who works for the White House. There are thousands of them in the federal government."
Despite the tensions, Noem struck a gracious tone after the announcement, posting on X that she was grateful for the new assignment and eager to take on the cartel-fighting mandate at the heart of the Shield of the Americas initiative.
"Thank you President Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas," Noem wrote. "Secretary Rubio and Secretary Hegseth are incredible leaders and I look forward to working with them closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren. The Western Hemisphere is absolutely critical for U.S. security."
Who Is Markwayne Mullin?
Trump was effusive in his praise of Mullin, highlighting the Oklahoma lawmaker's decade in the House of Representatives, three years in the Senate, and his background as a former undefeated professional MMA fighter — a detail Trump clearly relished.
"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," Trump wrote.
Trump also noted that Mullin holds the distinction of being the only Native American currently serving in the United States Senate, calling him "a fantastic advocate for our incredible Tribal Communities." Oklahoma, Trump pointed out, was swept by the president in all 77 of its counties in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Mullin, 47, has been one of Trump's most reliable allies on Capitol Hill, a vocal supporter of aggressive border enforcement, and a frequent presence in conservative media. His background as a businessman and combat sports athlete has made him a distinctive and popular figure within the MAGA movement.
Trump outlined an ambitious mandate for Mullin at DHS, tasking him with keeping the border secure, stopping migrant crime and criminal crossings, and eliminating the flow of illegal drugs into the country. "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," Trump wrote.
A Record to Build On
Despite the circumstances of her departure, Noem's tenure at DHS produced measurable results, particularly on the southern border, which Trump himself acknowledged. Illegal crossings dropped dramatically during her 13 months leading the department, and the administration's aggressive deportation and enforcement policies — many of which Noem oversaw — fundamentally transformed the security landscape at the border compared to the Biden era.
Her new role as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas will give her a regional platform to continue that work, focusing on the broader Western Hemisphere threat posed by cartels and the narcotics trade. The initiative, to be formally announced Saturday in Doral, is expected to represent a significant expansion of U.S. engagement with Latin American partners on security cooperation.
With Mullin stepping into the DHS role and Noem taking on the new envoy post, Trump is signaling that his administration's focus on border security, cartel disruption, and Western Hemisphere stability is not slowing down — it is expanding.
Senator Markwayne Mullin is expected to be confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security ahead of his March 31 start date. The Shield of the Americas initiative will be formally announced Saturday at Trump's Doral, Florida resort.
Trump Removes Kristi Noem as DHS Secretary, Taps Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin as Replacement
- by: Ben Martin
- 2026-03-06
- Source:
patriotuncensored.com
- 03/06/2026
