Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security Secretary who played a central role in former President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies and faced bipartisan scrutiny during recent congressional hearings, will step down at the end of the month.
Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he intends to nominate Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin as her replacement, a move that will require confirmation by the US Senate.
A former governor of South Dakota, Noem gained national attention as one of Trump’s most visible cabinet members, often using social media to highlight immigration enforcement actions and spotlight alleged criminal cases involving undocumented immigrants. Her posts frequently drew criticism for their sharp, sometimes vitriolic tone.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 5, 2026
CNN reported that Noem learned of her impending departure while arriving at an event in Nashville, with two sources confirming that Trump personally called her to deliver the news. Speaking later to NBC News, Trump characterized the decision as less about Noem’s performance and more about elevating Senator Mullin, describing the move as “not a hard choice.”
Kristi Noem
Kristi Noem, 54, served as South Dakota’s Republican governor before joining Trump’s cabinet as Secretary of Homeland Security. In her time at Homeland Security, controversies follow her including highly publicized enforcement operations, frequently accompanied by her own social media coverage, including appearances alongside federal agents during arrests.
