President Donald Trump on Thursday dismissed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following growing criticism over her management of the department, including scrutiny of the administration’s immigration crackdown and disaster response operations.
Trump announced that he will nominate Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and appoint Noem as “Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” a newly proposed initiative focused on strengthening security cooperation across the Western Hemisphere.
Mullin’s nomination will require confirmation by the U.S. Senate. However, under federal vacancy rules, he could serve as acting homeland security secretary while his nomination is under consideration.
Noem had faced mounting pressure in recent weeks, including unusually sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers during two consecutive congressional hearings earlier this week.
One issue drawing particular scrutiny was a $220 million advertising campaign featuring Noem that urged people living in the United States without legal status to voluntarily leave the country.
The New York Post said President was reportedly angry over Noem telling Congress he had approved the $200 million ad campaign. The White House has not publicly commented on the report.
Lawmakers from both parties also questioned her oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which operates under DHS. Critics said a policy requiring Noem’s personal approval for agency expenditures exceeding $100,000 slowed the distribution of billions of dollars in disaster aid to states and delayed aspects of emergency response efforts.
The leadership change also comes as the Department of Homeland Security faces a partial funding shutdown amid a political standoff in Congress that has disrupted several agency operations.
The dispute intensified after the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens during federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis earlier this year, incidents that have prompted investigations and calls from Democratic lawmakers for greater oversight of DHS activities.
Democrats have since argued that the incidents raised serious concerns about enforcement practices and accountability within the department, and have pressed for policy reforms before approving new funding legislation. As a result, several DHS programs have been operating with limited resources, although many employees have continued reporting to work despite delays in federal pay.
Noem acknowledged the move about her ouster on social media, thanking the president for appointing her to the new diplomatic role.
“Thank you @POTUS Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” Noem wrote on X, adding that she looked forward to working with administration officials to combat transnational crime and drug trafficking in the region.
In the same message, she defended her record at DHS, stating that the department had delivered “the most secure border in American history” and accelerated disaster relief operations through FEMA.
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Mullin said his priority would be strengthening national security.
“Whether you support me or don’t support me, I’m going to be laser-focused on protecting the homeland,” he said, adding that he had spoken with Trump shortly before the announcement was made.
Iftikhar Ali is a veteran Pakistani journalist, former president of UN Correspondents Association, and a recipient of the Pride of Performance civil award
