Kristi Noem to step down as DHS Secretary; Trump names Sen. Markwayne Mullin successor

WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump announced that U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma will become the next Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), effective March 31, 2026.

In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump said current DHS Secretary Kristi Noem will transition to a new role as Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a Western Hemisphere security initiative the administration plans to formally unveil Saturday in Doral, Florida.

Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar, a Navy veteran, will replace Noem temporarily. While Mullin will need to be confirmed by the Senate to officially serve in the position, federal law states that he would be allowed to serve as active secretary while his nomination is "formally pending."

Mullin's nomination will go through the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The panel is chaired by Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, whom Mullin recently criticized as a "freaking snake," in remarks to voters in Tulsa.

The comment came as Mullin described how Paul, who has frequently defected from his own party in foreign policy, federal spending and other matters, proposes legislation that could tank a bigger package, such as appropriations bills and a farm bill.

"Rand Paul’s a freaking snake. And I understand completely why his neighbor did what he did. And I told him that to his face," Mullin said, according to Oklahoma conservative talk show host David Arnett. Mullin was referring to a 2017 attack where Paul was assaulted by a neighbor who tackled him and broke several of his ribs in a lawn maintenance dispute.

Due to a new state law in Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt will appoint a Senator to fill Mullin's seat, meaning a special election will not take place.

Trump praised Noem’s tenure at DHS, citing what he described as “spectacular results,” particularly on border enforcement.

Under Noem’s leadership, more than 2 million people self-deported in 2025, emphasizing Trump’s mass deportation agenda during his second term.

During a 30-minute speech to the Sergeant Benevolent Association Major Cities Conference in Nashville on Thursday, Noem did not mention her removal. No one asked Noem about the news during a question-and-answer session either.

On social media, Noem responded to the news of her ouster.

"Thank you @POTUS Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. @SecRubio and @SecWar 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. In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise, I forged over the last 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security," Noem wrote on X.

We have made historic accomplishments at the Department of Homeland Security to make America safe again: we delivered the MOST secure border in American history, 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S., we have located 145,000 children, FEMA delivered disaster relief at a 100% faster rate, we ushered in the golden age of travel, saved the American taxpayer $13 billion and revitalized the U.S. Coast Guard," she added.

Mullin, a Republican who has served 10 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and three years in the Senate, is expected to oversee border security, immigration enforcement, and domestic threat prevention at DHS.

The president described Mullin as a strong advocate of his America First agenda, highlighting his background as a former professional mixed martial arts fighter and his role as the only Native American currently serving in the Senate.

Mullin told reporters that he found out a little bit before "you all" did.

I am super excited about this opportunity. It came at, not a complete surprise, but it came at a little bit of surprise for us.”

In a post on X, Mullin thanked the people of Oklahoma for allowing him to serve for the past 13 years.

I am grateful to President Trump for nominating me to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the Senate and carrying out President Trump’s mission alongside the department’s many capable agencies and the thousands of patriots who keep us safe every day," Mullin wrote.

Mullin also said he looks forward to supporting Trump's mission to "safeguard the American people and defend the homeland."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration will work with the Senate to confirm Mullin "as quickly as possible." She also thanked Noem for her service and welcomed her to her new role.

"President Trump is grateful to @KristiNoemfor helping usher in the most secure border in American history, and he looks forward to her continuing to serve in her new important role as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. The White House will work with the Senate to confirm the extraordinarily qualified Senator @MarkwayneMullin as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security as quickly as possible. President Trump’s immigration agenda is keeping our borders secure and deporting illegal alien criminals from our country, and it will continue without interruption," Leavitt said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Noem had done “a great job setting us up for success” and commended her “excellent” work on border security.

“The president is making a change,” Hegseth said during a news conference Thursday at U.S. Central Command. “We all serve at the pleasure of the president."

When asked if he worried about the safety of America’s homeland during the war, Hegseth said he did not, adding that he felt Mullin “will do a fantastic job.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he looks forward to working with Noem in her new role with The Shield of Americas, which he described as a new security initiative comprised of 13 countries.

Kristi has achieved incredible results as Secretary of Homeland Security and will be a tremendous asset in our effort to promote security and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere," Rubio[wrote on X.]

DHS oversees agencies including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, the Secret Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Noem served as the eighth Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Before joining Trump’s Cabinet, Noem served as the 33rd Governor of South Dakota, becoming the first woman elected to lead the state. She was re-elected in 2022 with the largest vote total in South Dakota history.

Before her time as governor, Noem represented South Dakota as its sole member of the U.S. House of Representatives. She also served in the South Dakota state legislature earlier in her political career.

Earlier this week, Noem was in the hot seat, testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight Committee - her first congressional appearance since the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens.

During her hearing with the Judiciary Committee, Noem defended her department’s immigration enforcement actions.

In her opening statement, Noem credited President Donald Trump's leadership and Homeland Security personnel with what she described as historic results, including steep declines in border encounters, record-low apprehensions, and successful arrests and deportations.

"Thanks to President Trump's leadership and the hard work of the men and women of DHS, our department has delivered historic results and has made our community safer," Noem said. "Since the start of President Trump's second term, daily encounters along the southwest border declined by 96% compared to the Biden administration's daily average."

She also highlighted efforts to locate missing unaccompanied migrant children and curb drug trafficking, while warning that ICE officers are facing what she called an escalating threat, including sharp increases in death threats and assaults.

Additionally, Noem criticized Senate Democrats over the ongoing DHS funding impasse, saying the standoff is straining critical security missions and harming department employees. She thanked DHS staff for continuing their work during the dispute.

During her hearing with the Oversight Committee, Republicans focused their questioning on sanctuary cities and the defense of Noem from Democrat-led claims, as Democrats focused their questioning on the tactics used by ICE agents to detain individuals and the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin accused Noem of engaging in a cover-up with the investigations into the deaths of Good and Pretti during his opening statement.

"Rather than work with state and local authorities to solve these homicides, you barred Minnesota's investigators from the crime scenes. You're denying them access to all the evidence that you have about the deaths of their citizens. It smells like a cover-up, and it makes me wonder who the real domestic terrorists are," Raskin said.

In her own opening statement, Noem accused Raskin of lying and focused her remarks on the Angel Families, who she said need their stories told.

In a later exchange, Raskin repeatedly asked Noem whether she still thought Good and Pretti were domestic terrorists. After their deaths, Noem had accused both victims of trying to commit domestic terrorism.

"Based on what you know today, Madam Secretary, were Renee Good and Alex Pretti domestic terrorists?" Raskin asked.

"Congressman, what happened in Minnesota in those two incidents was an absolute tragedy," Noem responded, explaining that the investigations into their deaths remain pending.

Raskin continued to ask Noem the question, asking her why she did not wait for more evidence before making those claims. Noem offered condolences to the victims' families but did not apologize for the remarks, once again referring to the investigations.

On Jan. 7, ICE agents shot and killed the mother of three, Renee Good. On Jan. 24, Customs and Border Protection officers fatally shot Alex Pretti, who was filming enforcement operations. The deaths sparked protests and renewed calls for oversight of DHS actions.

Noem and other administration officials initially described the shootings as defensive actions — a characterization sharply disputed by critics.

In an effort to tone down tensions, President Trump dispatched border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to oversee operations, who has since announced that Operation Metro Surge is coming to an end.

Noem said about 650 investigators remain in Minnesota as part of a broader fraud probe.

---

Editor's note: The Associated Press and The National News Desk's Caitlyn Frolo contributed to this article.

NEWS IN PHOTOS:

"Local"8Driver ticketed after head-on crash on Rush-Henrietta Senior High School campus

3Three indicted for murder after Farmington woman found dead in home in 2024

6United and Healing Through Hope and Tops hold annual Easter Basket Food Drive

5Historic Bull's Head finally undergoing major revitalization in Rochester