Kristi Noem is out: Here is what we know about her replacement
By Easton Matin | March 5, 2026
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Kristi Noem will step down as Secretary of Homeland Security at the end of the month. Noem, who has led the department through a period of intensive immigration enforcement and mass deportation efforts, will transition into a new role as Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas.” This Western Hemisphere security initiative is scheduled for a formal unveiling this Saturday in Doral, Florida.
In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump praised Noem for what he described as spectacular results during her tenure, particularly regarding operations at the U.S. border. Her departure follows a week of intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill, where she faced bipartisan questioning over agency spending and recent law enforcement incidents.
Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana notably challenged Noem regarding a $220 million advertising campaign that featured her prominently, while other lawmakers raised concerns about the fatal shootings of two individuals by federal agents in Minnesota.
The president named Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, as Noem’s successor. Mullin is a former member of the House of Representatives and an undefeated professional mixed martial arts fighter. Trump referred to Mullin as a “MAGA Warrior” and expressed confidence in his ability to secure the border and combat migrant crime.
