President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is nominating Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin to serve as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem. The transition, which Trump announced on social media, is set to take effect on March 31, 2026.
Noem, the former Governor of South Dakota, becomes the first Cabinet secretary to exit her post during Trump’s second term following a week of intense bipartisan questioning on Capitol Hill.
The reshuffling follows a turbulent period for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Noem’s leadership was marked by heavy criticism over immigration enforcement tactics, specifically following the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis by immigration officers.
During congressional hearings this week, both Democrats and some Republicans grilled Noem on the department’s disaster response and the management of billions of dollars in federal funding.
In his announcement, Trump praised Noem’s tenure, noting she had achieved “spectacular results” regarding border security. He revealed that Noem will transition to a new role as “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas.”
This new security initiative, focused on the Western Hemisphere, is scheduled for a formal launch this Saturday in Doral, Florida.
Trump described Mullin, a former professional MMA fighter who served ten years in the House before moving to the Senate, as a “MAGA Warrior” capable of advancing the administration’s “America First” agenda.
The President highlighted Mullin’s background as the only Native American currently serving in the U.S. Senate and his history representing Oklahoma. Trump stated that Mullin’s primary mandate at DHS will be to secure the border, address migrant crime, and “end the scourge of illegal drugs.”
Mullin must now undergo a Senate confirmation process to formally take the lead at the agency. The move comes as the administration continues to navigate legal challenges and public protests surrounding its immigration crackdown.
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