WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump is making an early second-term Cabinet change, tapping U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He will replace Kristi Noem after a rocky stretch that drew heavy attention to the administration’s strict immigration enforcement push.
Trump shared the decision on Thursday on Truth Social. He called Mullin a “Highly Respected” lawmaker and a “MAGA Warrior,” adding that Mullin works well with others and has the “Wisdom and Courage” to move the America First agenda forward.
The shift is scheduled for March 31, 2026, and it depends on Senate confirmation. If confirmed, Mullin would have to give up his Senate seat. Under federal vacancy rules, he could also serve in an acting role while the process plays out.
The announcement came only days after Noem faced sharp criticism in congressional hearings. Lawmakers from both parties pressed her on immigration raids, a disputed $220 million ad campaign urging people to leave voluntarily, disaster response, and DHS spending.
At the same time, reports pointed to frustration inside the administration about the speed and management of mass deportation efforts. That includes high-profile incidents, such as the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis tied to immigration enforcement officers.
Kristi Noem’s statement to the press
After Trump’s post, Noem spoke at a DHS event and avoided mentioning the change. Instead, she stayed on prepared remarks that backed the president’s priorities. Later, she posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) and thanked Trump for her new assignment:
“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.
The Western Hemisphere is absolutely critical for U.S. security. In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise I forged over the last 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security.”
Trump said Noem will lead “The Shield of the Americas,” a new regional security effort focused on fighting drug cartels across the Western Hemisphere. The administration plans to roll it out on Saturday in Doral, Florida. Noem, a former South Dakota governor, becomes the first Cabinet secretary to leave her post during Trump’s second term.
Why Trump picked Markwayne Mullin
By choosing Markwayne Mullin, Trump appears to want a close ally running DHS as the administration keeps pressing its hard-line immigration strategy. Markwayne Mullin, 48, has strongly defended mass deportations and ICE activity. He has described ICE agents as “red-blooded American patriots.”
Several factors seem to have helped Mullin rise to the top:
- Loyalty and shared priorities: Markwayne Mullin has stood with Trump on America First policies, especially border security and enforcement.
- Time on Capitol Hill: He served in the House from 2013 to 2023, then won his Senate seat in 2022 with 62% of the vote. That background may help during confirmation and with tough policy fights.
- A tough public image: Mullin is known for an aggressive style, plus an undefeated pro MMA record (5-0). Trump pointed to that persona in his announcement.
- A distinct personal story: Mullin is a member of the Cherokee Nation and is the first Native American senator in two decades. He also ran his family’s plumbing company after earning an associate’s degree, and he often stresses practical results.
- Alignment on major DHS issues: He has supported strict immigration enforcement, changes to disaster response, and actions against cross-border threats, which track closely with the administration’s goals.
Mullin responded by calling the moment “humbling.” He told reporters he called his father after hearing the news and said, “A little kid from west Oklahoma gets to serve in the president’s cabinet, that’s pretty neat.” He added that he didn’t expect the call, but he’s “excited to get started.”
What it could mean next
The DHS leadership swap lands during a tense period for the department. DHS is dealing with a partial shutdown that has hit some operations and employee pay. On top of that, lawsuits over enforcement tactics continue, and protests against deportations remain active.
Markwayne Mullin’s nomination may draw questions about his limited executive management experience. Still, with Republicans in control, confirmation could move more smoothly.
For the White House, the change looks like an attempt to reset DHS leadership while keeping the broader immigration crackdown on track. Meanwhile, moving Noem into a focused envoy job keeps her in the mix on regional security, while shifting day-to-day DHS control to a new face.
As Markwayne Mullin heads toward confirmation hearings, the spotlight will move to his plans for mass deportations, FEMA-related reforms, cybersecurity, and ongoing border threats.
