Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) chief Kristi Noem has reportedly been succeeded by Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin (Image: AP)

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) chief Kristi Noem has reportedly been succeeded by Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, following an incident that apparently upset the president this week.

President Trump revealed the shift on his Truth Social platform. “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,” he penned.

“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,” he expressed. “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,” the president continued. “As the only Native American in the Senate, Markwayne is a fantastic advocate for our incredible Tribal Communities.”, reports the Mirror US.

“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,” the president concluded. “Markwayne will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”.

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An individual, dressed formally in a suit and tie, stands amidst a gathering of people in what appears to be a conference hall.

Prior to the announcement, the senator claimed that he had not spoken to the president about taking over (Image: Getty Images)

Reports indicate that Mullin’s name surfaced during a private discussion between Trump and several Republican associates. News of Noem’s replacement emerged after she reportedly frustrated Trump during her testimony regarding DHS and ICE.

Multiple sources suggest the president referenced Mullin numerous times throughout the meeting. Before the official announcement, Mullin clarified he had not discussed the potential appointment with the president.

“I haven’t talked to the president,” the Republican stated.”I haven’t talked to him about the hearing at all. I can’t help you there. I’m sorry.”

Reports suggest Noem’s contentious exchange with Senator John Kennedy triggered Trump’s displeasure. Trump allegedly grew frustrated when Noem testified under oath that the president had authorized the $220 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign for DHS.

An individual stands at a podium, addressing an audience while an American flag is prominently displayed in the background.

News of Noem’s replacement emerged after she reportedly frustrated Trump (Image: AP)

“How do you square that concern for waste, which I share, with the fact that you have spent $220 million running television advertisements that feature you prominently?” Kennedy questioned. Noem justified the campaign as aligned with the president’s immigration priorities: “Sir, the president tasked me with getting the message out to the country, and to other countries where we were seeing the invasion come from. with putting commercials out that told them that if they were in this country illegally, that they needed to leave, or we would detain them and remove them, and they’d not get the chance to come back to America the right way.”

Throughout her Senate testimony, Noem encountered pushback from certain Republicans, most prominently from outgoing Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who labeled her leadership a “disaster” on Tuesday. Tillis went so far as to demand Noem’s resignation.

“We’re an exceptional nation, and one of the reasons we’re exceptional is because we expect exceptional leadership, and you’ve demonstrated anything but that,” he declared. Meanwhile, at the recent House Republican elected leadership retreat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Speaker Mike Johnson allegedly discussed the possibility of leadership changes at DHS.