President Donald Trump on Thursday fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid mounting criticism of her leadership, including the handling of immigration policy and disaster response. The move comes as the administration faces increasing scrutiny over its border security measures and the effectiveness of its response to recent natural disasters.
Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma has been nominated to replace Noem, according to announcements from the White House and confirmed by multiple news outlets. Trump stated that Mullin, the only Native American in the Senate, would be “an excellent Homeland Security Secretary” and “a great advocate for our wonderful tribal communities.”
Mullin, speaking to reporters on Thursday, said he received the call from the President shortly before Noem’s dismissal was made public. “A small boy from West Oklahoma is going to serve in the President’s Cabinet. That’s pretty neat,” he remarked. He added that even as he is a conservative Republican, he intends to unite all parties within the department.
Former Favorite Faces Dismissal
Noem, who previously served as the Governor of South Dakota, had been a staunch supporter of Trump and was once considered a potential running mate. Before her appointment as Secretary, she described the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border as a “war zone.”
Her tenure was marked by controversy, including details revealed in her memoir about shooting her young dog, Cricket, because the animal was not suited for hunting. She later defended the decision as demonstrating her willingness to make difficult choices.
Central Figure in U.S. Deportation Policy
As Homeland Security Secretary, Noem became a prominent figure in the implementation of Trump’s aggressive deportation policies. A visit to a high-security prison in El Salvador last year drew particular attention, after the U.S. Deported hundreds of Venezuelans accused of ties to the “Tren de Aragua” criminal cartel.
Noem posed for photographs inside the prison, images of which circulated widely, showing dozens of shaved-headed men with visible tattoos. “I also want everyone to know: if you come into our country illegally, this is one of the consequences you could face,” she said in a video shared on the platform X.
Facing Increasing Scrutiny
Noem faced intense questioning during a Senate hearing on March 3, 2026, regarding deaths that occurred during operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the tactics employed by her department. The actions of poorly trained officers sparked protests across the country. Two U.S. Citizens were killed by gunfire from ICE agents. Critics accused Noem and the department of violating civil rights.
During the hearing, Noem repeatedly emphasized that her department’s actions were necessary for national security and were based on legal authority. She was also asked if she would revise previous statements referring to the U.S. Citizens killed as “domestic terrorists.”
That description was strongly questioned by video footage and local reports. Noem stated she had relied on reports from officers at the scene and refused to retract her statements or apologize. Trump had publicly backed Noem as recently as late January, stating, “I believe she’s done a very good job” following the shootings in Minneapolis.
Campaign Spending Also Drew Criticism
A budget dispute over the direction and funding of immigration policy subsequently erupted. While some Republicans are calling for even stricter measures, Democrats are criticizing the expansion of powers and demanding greater parliamentary control and transparency in exchange for funds.
A multi-million dollar advertising campaign aimed at deterring illegal immigration ultimately contributed to Noem’s downfall. One Republican Senator noted the campaign appeared to be more about self-promotion than effective enforcement. Noem claimed the budget for the campaign had been approved by Trump, but he later denied this.
