DHS Secretary Noem Stepping Down, Kehlani to Perform at Phoenix March Madness Concert

Chandler VFW post to reopen after veteran-led renovations

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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President Trump announced that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will be stepping down on March 31 to take on a new role as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas security initiative. Meanwhile, Grammy-winning singer Kehlani is set to headline a free concert in Phoenix during the NCAA Women's Final Four, and a Chandler VFW post is reopening after a year-long renovation project led by local veterans.

Why it matters

Noem's departure from DHS raises questions about the future direction of immigration enforcement and border security policies under the Trump administration. The Kehlani concert is a high-profile event that will draw thousands to downtown Phoenix during the NCAA tournament. And the Chandler VFW post reopening represents the resilience of the local veteran community.

The details

President Trump announced that Kristi Noem, the current Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, will be stepping down from that role on March 31 to take on a new position as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a new security initiative in the Western Hemisphere. Noem thanked Trump for the new appointment and said she looks forward to working more closely with the Secretary of State and Defense Secretary to combat drug cartels. The Phoenix Police Department does not track how often officers' body cameras fall off during use-of-force incidents, despite concerns raised after a violent arrest where all three officers' cameras became dislodged. The NCAA Women's Final Four is coming to the Valley, and as part of the festivities, Grammy-winning R&B singer Kehlani will headline a free concert at Margaret T. Hance Park on April 4. The Chandler VFW post, named after former member John McCain, was on the brink of closing before a group of local veterans stepped in, secured donations, and spent nearly a year renovating the building inside and out.

  • President Trump announced Noem's departure on March 6, 2026.
  • Noem's last day as DHS Secretary will be March 31, 2026.
  • The Kehlani concert is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • The Chandler VFW post has stood since the 1940s and has been at its current location since the 1960s.

The players

Kristi Noem

The current Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, who will be stepping down on March 31 to take on a new role as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas security initiative.

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who announced Noem's departure from DHS and her new appointment.

Marco Rubio

The Secretary of State, who Noem said she looks forward to working more closely with in her new role.

Pete Hegseth

The Secretary of Defense, who Noem said she looks forward to working more closely with in her new role.

Kehlani

A Grammy-winning R&B singer who will headline a free concert in Phoenix during the NCAA Women's Final Four.

Jacob Dort

A local veteran who led a group that renovated the Chandler VFW post after it was on the brink of closing.

John McCain

A former member of the Chandler VFW post, which is named after him.

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What they’re saying

“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'.”

— President Donald Trump (Truth Social)

“I look forward to working more closely with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the new role to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren.”

— Kristi Noem, Former DHS Secretary (Truth Social)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Noem's departure from DHS raises questions about the future direction of immigration enforcement and border security policies under the Trump administration, while the Kehlani concert and Chandler VFW post reopening highlight the diverse cultural and community events taking place in the Phoenix area.