Trump Ousts Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem in Sudden Shakeup

Noem's tenure marked by controversies and internal strife at DHS, as President taps Mullin as replacement

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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In a surprise move, President Donald Trump has fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, one of the highest-profile administrators of his hardline immigration agenda. Noem's tenure was marked by a series of controversies, including questions about her spending, her relationship with a top adviser, and a $220 million advertising campaign featuring her. Trump has appointed Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to replace Noem, signaling a potential shift in the administration's approach to immigration policy.

Why it matters

Noem's dismissal is one of the biggest shakeups in Trump's second-term Cabinet, reflecting growing concerns within the administration about the optics and leadership of the Department of Homeland Security. While Trump's hardline immigration policies are unlikely to change significantly, the replacement of Noem with the more politically savvy Mullin suggests a desire to soften the public face of the administration's enforcement efforts.

The details

Noem, a former Governor of South Dakota, was tasked with enacting a brutal immigration crackdown alongside Trump policy adviser Stephen Miller. The pair implemented strict quotas for detentions, a conveyor belt of migrant deportations, and door-to-door inspections in Democratic-led cities. However, Noem's personal life, living situation, low morale within DHS, and leadership feuds made her a liability for the administration. The dismissal comes amid a standoff with Congress over funding for the department, which Democrats have refused to approve as long as Noem remained in charge.

  • On Thursday, March 5, 2026, President Trump announced Noem's dismissal on social media.
  • Earlier that day, Senator Markwayne Mullin told reporters he was not ready to discuss Noem's future, but within an hour, Trump had announced her ouster.

The players

Kristi Noem

The former Governor of South Dakota who served as Homeland Security Secretary under President Trump, overseeing the administration's hardline immigration policies before being dismissed from the role.

Markwayne Mullin

A Republican Senator from Oklahoma who has been tapped by President Trump to replace Noem as the new Homeland Security Secretary, known for his political spine and willingness to confront rivals.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who decided to dismiss Noem from her role as Homeland Security Secretary amid growing concerns about her leadership and the optics of the administration's immigration enforcement efforts.

Stephen Miller

A top policy adviser to President Trump who worked alongside Noem to implement the administration's hardline immigration agenda at the Department of Homeland Security.

Corey Lewandowski

A special adviser to the Trump administration who was reported to have a close relationship with Noem, which became a source of controversy and questioning during congressional hearings.

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What they’re saying

“The President and I, as you guys know, we're great friends. We get along great. I look forward to working with him and his Cabinet. Of course, we've got this little thing called confirmation and we're going to get started right away.”

— Markwayne Mullin, Senator

“She was tasked with a very difficult job and I think she has performed the best she can do under these circumstances.”

— Markwayne Mullin, Senator

“I look forward to working with them closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren.”

— Kristi Noem (Twitter)

What’s next

The Senate will need to confirm Mullin as the new Homeland Security Secretary, a process that could face some Democratic opposition but is expected to ultimately succeed given Mullin's political connections and reputation.

The takeaway

Noem's dismissal is a reflection of the growing political challenges facing the Trump administration's hardline immigration agenda, as the public grows increasingly concerned about the optics and implementation of these policies. While Mullin's appointment signals a potential shift in approach, the underlying policy direction is unlikely to change significantly.