Trump Replaces DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

Trump announced the move in a social media post, moving Noem to a new role and tapping Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to replace her as DHS secretary.

Rachel Acenas

Published: 3/5/2026, 2:18:59 PM EST

Trump Replaces DHS Secretary Kristi Noem — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testifies before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 3, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

President Donald Trump on Thursday replaced Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem following criticism over her leadership.

Trump announced the move in a social media post, moving Noem to a new role and tapping Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to replace her as DHS chief.

"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,'" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Noem, in a statement, thanked the president for her new role, vowing to apply her experience as Homeland Security secretary to her new position.

“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 grandchildren,” Noem wrote on X.

Noem just wrapped up two days of scrutiny in Congress this week to defend Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown, marking her first appearance in front of lawmakers since the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis that involved federal agents.

The outgoing DHS chief touted the success of the department under her leadership.

“We have made historic accomplishments at the Department of Homeland Security to make America safe again: we delivered the MOST secure border in American history, 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S., we have located 145,000 children, FEMA delivered disaster relief at a 100% faster rate, we ushered in the golden age of travel, saved the American taxpayer $13 billion and revitalized the U.S. Coast Guard,” Noem added.

Meanwhile, Mullin was pressed by reporters on Capitol Hill about his new position, calling it “humbling” to be chosen by the president to serve as his new DHS chief.

Mullin said he was surprised by the president’s phone call and learned about the news shortly before it was announced.

The Oklahoma Republican said he hasn’t spoken with Noem yet, but noted the two are friends and she was tasked with a very difficult job.

Some Democrats portrayed Noem’s removal as a win for the party, including House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“Kristi Noem is gone,” Jeffries wrote on X. “Pam Bondi is next. Keep the pressure on these extremists.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) acknowledged Noem’s service to the country, but wrote on X, “it was time for a change.”

Noem will remain as DHS chief until March 31, giving the Senate time to go through the confirmation process.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.