President Donald Trump announced on social media that he was firing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The decision comes after mounting criticism over her leadership of the department, including the handling of the administration’s immigration crackdown and disaster response.
Trump thanked Noem for her service, saying in his Truth Social post she “has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!)” and that she “will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere.”
Trump said he would nominate Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin in her place and make Noem a “Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” a new security initiative that he said would focus on the Western Hemisphere.
Trump said Mullin would take over the position on March 31. 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.
Noem faced rare but blistering criticism from Republican lawmakers during two back-to-back congressional hearings earlier this week. One particular point of scrutiny was a $220 million ad campaign featuring Noem that encouraged people in the country illegally to leave voluntarily. “You’re using millions of dollars of taxpayer money in this way,” said Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse, who called it fraud. “Ultimately, I think there’s going to be accountability.”
Moments after her firing, Noem took the stage to address a law enforcement conference. She made no mention of her ouster during her 30-minute address, and no one questioned her move when she began answering audience questions.
She later posted on social media, thanking Trump for her new appointment. “Thank you @POTUS Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” Noem wrote on X.
Thank you @POTUS Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. @SecRubio and @SecWar are incredible leaders and I look forward to working with them closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) March 5, 2026
| The Firing of Kristi Noem | |
|---|---|
| Category | Details |
| Outgoing Secretary | Kristi Noem (First Cabinet firing of Trump's 2nd Term) |
| Replacement | Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma) |
| Date of Firing | March 5, 2026 |
| New Role for Noem | Special Envoy for "The Shield of the Americas" (Western Hemisphere security initiative). |
| Primary Reasons | 1. Minneapolis Scandal: False "domestic terrorist" claims regarding the ICE shooting deaths of US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti. 2. Ad Campaign: A $220M self-promotional "self-deportation" ad campaign Noem claimed Trump approved (he denied it). 3. Hearings: A "combative" performance before the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this week. |
| Additional Controversy | Ongoing allegations of an affair with adviser Corey Lewandowski and misuse of FEMA funds. |
| Effective Date | Mullin takes over March 31, 2026 (pending Senate confirmation). |
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