Kristi Noem was removed from her position as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Thursday after President Donald Trump announced he was replacing her following weeks of political pressure and controversy surrounding the agency’s leadership. The decision marks the first major cabinet shake-up of Trump’s second presidential term.
Noem, a former governor of South Dakota who took office as homeland security secretary in January 2025, had faced growing criticism over her handling of immigration enforcement operations and the department’s response to several high-profile incidents. Lawmakers from both political parties questioned her leadership during recent hearings on Capitol Hill, where she defended aggressive enforcement policies carried out by federal immigration authorities.
The controversy intensified after federal immigration agents were involved in the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens earlier in the year, sparking public backlash and calls for accountability. Critics also raised concerns about departmental spending and management decisions during Noem’s tenure, further fueling pressure on the administration to make changes at the top of the agency.
Trump announced that Markwayne Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma, will be nominated to replace Noem as homeland security secretary, pending Senate confirmation. Meanwhile, Noem is expected to move into a newly created diplomatic role as Special Envoy for the “Shield of the Americas,” an upcoming security initiative focused on cooperation across the Western Hemisphere.
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