Trump Removes Kristi Noem as DHS Secretary Following Controversies and Nominates Markwayne Mullin

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has removed Kristi Noem from her position as secretary of homeland security following a week of escalating political pressure and questions regarding her department’s spending. The announcement came through a Truth Social post on March 5, 2026, where the president named U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as his choice to lead the agency. Mullin will need to secure Senate confirmation before he can officially take the helm, though the administration is aiming for a transition date of March 31, 2026. This move represents the first Cabinet-level dismissal of Trump’s second term. While the president publicly thanked Noem for her service and her focus on border enforcement, the change comes after several controversies made her position increasingly difficult to maintain. One of the primary points of contention involves a $220 million advertising campaign designed to promote the administration’s immigration policies. The ads featured Noem as a central figure, but questions arose during congressional hearings this week about the cost and the way the contract was awarded. According to reporting by Reuters, lawmakers expressed concern that the massive contract was issued with limited competitive bidding. Some members of Congress suggested that firms with ties to Republican political circles might have been the primary beneficiaries of the funding. The situation became more complicated when President Trump told Reuters he had not personally approved the $220 million expenditure, a statement that appeared to contradict earlier claims that the initiative had full White House support. Beyond the financial scrutiny, Noem’s leadership was under fire for the handling of a deadly encounter in Minneapolis. Federal immigration enforcement officers were involved in a situation that left two U.S. citizens dead, sparking a national debate over the use of force. Noem originally described the event as an act of domestic terrorism, but video evidence and subsequent reporting suggested that her assessment was likely premature or inaccurate. The discrepancy led to bipartisan demands for an investigation into how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) communicates about such incidents. Internal management issues also played a role in the leadership shakeup. Reporting from Axios highlighted growing frustration in Washington over DHS spending priorities, including discussions about acquiring new aircraft for leadership travel. There were also reports that Corey Lewandowski, a prominent Trump ally who does not hold a government post, had been informally participating in department discussions. This raised concerns among oversight officials about the level of outside influence on official agency business. The Washington Post editorial board noted that these combined controversies began to erode the department’s credibility and threatened to complicate future funding requests in Congress. During the hearings held earlier this week, at least one Republican senator called for Noem’s resignation, signaling that her support on Capitol Hill was fractured. Noem is expected to transition into a new role as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas. Trump described this position as a regional security coordinator for the Western Hemisphere, though he did not offer specific details about the office’s budget or staff. More information about the Shield initiative is expected during a formal announcement scheduled for later this week in Doral, Florida. The nomination of Sen. Mullin suggests that the White House does not intend to change its policy direction regarding border security. Mullin has long been a vocal advocate for aggressive enforcement measures and remains one of the president’s most reliable allies in the Senate. According to Reuters, major immigration policy decisions continue to be heavily influenced by White House advisers like Stephen Miller, meaning Noem’s departure may change the management style of the department more than its actual enforcement tactics. Several oversight committees have already indicated that they will not drop their inquiries just because Noem is moving to a different role. Investigations into the $220 million advertising contract are expected to continue, as are calls for a formal probe into the Minneapolis shooting. The DHS inspector general may also be tasked with reviewing whether procurement rules were bypassed when the advertising firms were selected. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.