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President Donald Trump announced his decision to replace Kristi Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin as the United States secretary of homeland security in a post shared on his Truth Social account Thursday (March 5) effective March 31, at which point Noem will serve as special envoy to for the shield of the Americas, a new security initiative.
"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 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!"
Trump's announcement came shortly after the Wall Street Journal reported that he was preparing to fire Noem, 54, with sources claiming he already started asking asides and Congressional Republicans for names to potentially replace her. The report came hours after Noem was grilled by Democrats about fatal shootings by federal agents and an alleged affair while testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday (March 4).
Noem offered her condolences to the families of Alex Pretti and Renée Good, but refused to apologize for their deaths, labeling them as terrorists during her testimony. The DHS director also denied under oath that the Department of Homeland Security created a database of American citizens protesting federal immigration agents, despite White House border czar Tom Homan telling FOX News that he wanted to create "a database of people arrested during protests at ICE operations," according to Democratic Rep. Lou Correa of California.
“I don’t know why he said that,” Noem said of Homan, clarifying that he doesn't work for DHS via USA TODAY. “We’re not creating a database.”
Noem also denied an alleged affair with top aide Corey Lewandowski under oath as her husband, Bryon, sat in attendance.
“I am shocked that we’re going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee today,” Noem said when asked by California Democratic Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove if she ever had sexual relations with Lewandowski via the New York Post. “I would tell you is that he is a special government employee who works for the White House. There are thousands of them in the federal government.”