President Trump announced Thursday he will replace Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) effective March 31, 2026.
In a statement on Truth Social, the president praised Noem for her service at the Department of Homeland Security, saying she “has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!)” and will become the Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, his new security initiative in the Western Hemisphere. Trump also confirmed there would be a formal announcement regarding the Shield of the Americas on Saturday in Doral, Florida.
Mullin, who has served ten years in the U.S. House of Representatives and three terms in the U.S. Senate as a moderate Republican, was described by Trump as a “MAGA Warrior and former undefeated professional MMA fighter” who “truly gets along well with people and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda.” The president highlighted Mullin’s role as the only Native American in the Senate and noted he would 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.”
According to an administration official, Trump decided to remove Noem due to “a culmination of her many unfortunate leadership failures including the fallout in Minnesota, the ad campaign, the allegations of infidelity, the mismanagement of her staff, and her constant feuding with the heads of other agencies, including CBP and ICE.” The official added that “Kristi’s drama sadly overshadowed and distracted from the Administration’s extremely popular immigration agenda.”
Corey Lewandowski, a close aide to Noem who was one of the first staff members on Trump’s 2016 campaign for president, is also expected to depart the Department of Homeland Security.
Noem thanked Trump for appointing her as Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas in a statement on social media. She said she would work closely with Secretary of State Maro Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to “dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren.”
The former DHS secretary highlighted her achievements, stating: “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.”
Mullin told reporters on Capitol Hill that he was “super excited about this opportunity” and that it was “super humbling.” He expressed confidence in their ability to work together but noted they would soon begin the confirmation process. Mullin also confirmed he has not yet spoken with Noem, saying: “Our families are very close. We’re going to have a conversation with her in just a second.”
Secretary Rubio stated that he looks forward to working with Noem at the Shield of the Americas and praised her achievements as Secretary of Homeland Security.
