U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Kristi Noem will step down as Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security in a major cabinet reshuffle.
In a statement posted on his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday, Trump confirmed that Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma will replace Noem in the role, with the appointment expected to take effect on 31 March 2026, pending Senate confirmation.
Trump thanked Noem for her service, praising what he described as “spectacular results,” particularly regarding the administration’s border policies. He added that she will transition to a new position as Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a security initiative focused on strengthening cooperation and security across the Western Hemisphere.
Noem’s departure follows a turbulent period for the department and intense scrutiny from lawmakers. She recently faced tough questioning in Congress over the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement operations and spending decisions, including a controversial multi-million-dollar advertising campaign tied to border policy messaging.
Her tenure also drew criticism over aggressive immigration enforcement strategies and an incident involving a federal operation in Minnesota that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens, further increasing pressure on the department.
The leadership change marks the first major cabinet shake-up of Trump’s second term, as the administration continues to prioritise strict immigration enforcement and border security as central policy goals.
If confirmed, Mullin—an Oklahoma senator and former professional mixed-martial-arts fighter—will take charge of the department responsible for overseeing agencies such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The move signals a possible continuation—or recalibration—of the administration’s broader immigration and national security strategy in the coming months.