Trump Fires Homeland Security Secretary Noem

President Trump replaces Kristi Noem with Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin to lead DHS

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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President Donald Trump on Thursday fired his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, after mounting criticism over her leadership of the department, including the handling of the administration's immigration crackdown and disaster response. Trump said he would nominate Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace Noem, who he appointed as a "Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas," a new security initiative.

Why it matters

Noem's departure marks a significant shakeup in the Trump administration's immigration agenda, as she was tasked with steering the president's centerpiece policy of mass deportations. Her ouster comes amid criticism over her department's spending, the handling of protests in Minneapolis, and the administration's broader immigration crackdown.

The details

Noem faced a two-day grilling on Capitol Hill this week from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers over her leadership of the Department of Homeland Security. Questions were raised over her spending at the department and her conduct in the aftermath of the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis earlier this year. Trump said Noem 'has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!),' but she appeared to increasingly become a liability for the president.

  • On Thursday, March 6, 2026, President Trump announced Noem's firing.
  • Noem appeared at a law enforcement event in Nashville, Tennessee, moments after Trump's announcement, but did not address her ouster.

The players

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States who fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Kristi Noem

The former Homeland Security Secretary who was fired by President Trump after facing criticism over her leadership of the department.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin

The Oklahoma Republican senator who Trump nominated to replace Noem as the new Homeland Security Secretary.

Renee Good and Alex Pretti

Two protesters in Minneapolis who were shot and killed by immigration enforcement officers, sparking criticism of Noem's handling of the aftermath.

Jacob Frey

The Mayor of Minneapolis who welcomed Noem's departure, writing "good riddance" on social media.

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What they’re saying

“We have made historic accomplishments at the Department of Homeland Security to make America safe again.”

— Kristi Noem, Former Homeland Security Secretary (Social media post)

“She is the best Secretary I ever worked for, period. The others weren't even close. Noem is the ultimate patriot.”

— Gregory Bovino, Border Patrol official (The Associated Press)

“This is not accountability, just a reshuffling of the enablers of the agenda of President Trump. Her tenure was marked by cruelty.”

— Vanessa Cárdenas, Executive Director of America's Voice (The Associated Press)

What’s next

Mullin would need to be confirmed by the Senate, but under a federal law governing executive branch vacancies, he would be allowed to serve as an acting Homeland Security secretary as long as his nomination is formally pending.

The takeaway

Noem's ouster signals a significant shakeup in the Trump administration's immigration agenda, as the president seeks to chart a new course for the Department of Homeland Security amid criticism over its handling of the crackdown and response to protests.