Breaking: Trump removes Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

U.S. President Donald Trump has removed Kristi Noem as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, replacing her with Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin in a major shake-up of the administration’s national security leadership.

Trump announced the decision on social media, saying Mullin would assume the role at the end of March and lead efforts to strengthen border security and advance his administration’s immigration agenda.

The president thanked Noem for her service but said she would move to a new role as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a security initiative aimed at combating drug cartels across the Western Hemisphere.

In her first public reaction following the announcement, Noem expressed gratitude to Trump and defended her tenure at the department.

“Thank you President Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” she wrote on social media, adding that she looked forward to working with senior officials to dismantle criminal networks responsible for drug trafficking into the United States.

She also maintained that the department achieved “historic accomplishments” under her leadership, particularly in efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and combat organised crime.

The leadership change comes after months of political pressure surrounding the agency, which oversees immigration enforcement, border protection and national security operations.

Noem, who previously served as governor of South Dakota before joining Trump’s cabinet in 2025, had been a central figure in the administration’s immigration crackdown.

Her tenure, however, drew increasing scrutiny following controversies involving federal agents and the deaths of two U.S. citizens during an operation in Minnesota earlier this year.

The incidents intensified criticism of the department’s policies and placed Noem under growing pressure during recent congressional hearings.

Democratic leaders welcomed the move but insisted deeper reforms were needed at the agency.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the leadership change alone would not resolve broader concerns about immigration enforcement and the conduct of federal agencies.

Meanwhile, Mullin told reporters outside the U.S. Capitol that he had already spoken with the president and would begin consultations on how to align the department’s strategy with the administration’s security priorities.

“We’re going to get on the same page,” he said.

Mullin, a senator from Oklahoma and a former mixed martial arts fighter, is expected to take charge of one of the most powerful federal agencies responsible for immigration policy, border security and counter-terrorism operations in the United States.