Noem out, Trump picks Mullin as DHS secretary

By Jordain Carney, Myah Ward, Eric Bazail-Eimil | 03/05/2026 04:20 PM EST

The South Dakota Republican was the public face of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

Markwayne Mullin speaks with reporters.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin speaks with reporters after a briefing from Trump administration officials on the U.S. strikes on Iran at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. Francis Chung/POLITICO

President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would name Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to be the next Homeland Security secretary, moving current DHS chief Kristi Noem to a special envoy role around Western Hemisphere cooperation in the face of growing frustrations with her tenure.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said Noem “has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!).” Trump added Noem will become a special envoy for the “our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere we are announcing on Saturday” at a summit with Latin American leaders on Saturday in Florida.

“I thank Kristi for her service at ‘Homeland,’” he continued.

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Trump’s post went out about 20 minutes before Noem began speaking at the Sergeant Benevolent Association Major Cities Conference in Tennessee. Noem did not mention her change of title during prepared remarks.

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