DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Out — Trump Announces Major Cabinet Shake-Up
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Kristi Noem will no longer serve as Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), marking the first major cabinet shake-up of Trump’s second presidential term. The decision came after weeks of controversy surrounding Noem’s leadership, government spending, and immigration enforcement policies. Trump confirmed that he plans to nominate Markwayne Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma, to replace her as the new DHS secretary.
Why Trump Removed Kristi Noem Controversial $220 Million Ad Campaign One of the biggest issues was a $220 million border-security advertising campaign launched by DHS. During congressional testimony, Noem claimed the campaign had Trump’s approval. Trump later said he never authorized the campaign, which caused political backlash and internal tension in the administration. Lawmakers also questioned how the advertising contracts were awarded, noting that some companies receiving millions were linked to political operatives.
Immigration Enforcement Controversies Noem’s tenure also faced criticism over immigration operations and the actions of federal agents. A particularly controversial case involved a deadly encounter between immigration enforcement officers and protesters, which triggered intense questioning from lawmakers about possible civil-rights violations and the use of force. Several members of Congress—both Democrats and some Republicans—demanded investigations into DHS practices and accountability under her leadership.
Political Pressure and Calls for Resignation Pressure on Noem had been building for months. Earlier in 2026, lawmakers warned the White House that she should be removed or face possible impeachment proceedings, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with her management of DHS. Critics also raised concerns about internal DHS leadership issues and spending decisions during her tenure. Who Is Kristi Noem Kristi Noem is a prominent Republican politician who previously served as Governor of South Dakota before joining Trump’s cabinet in 2025.
During her time as Homeland Security Secretary, she oversaw major immigration enforcement operations and policy changes, including tightening rules on migrant protections and expanding federal immigration raids Trump’s Replacement Choice President Trump said he intends to nominate Markwayne Mullin, currently a U.S. senator from Oklahoma, as the next head of DHS. If confirmed by the Senate, Mullin would lead one of the most powerful agencies in the U.S. government, responsible for: Border security mmigration enforcement
Counterterrorism Cybersecurity Disaster response through agencies like FEMA The removal of Noem signals a major shift inside the Trump administration and could influence U.S. immigration policy and homeland security strategy moving forward. Political analysts say the decision also reflects increasing pressure on the administration to address controversies within DHS and restore confidence in the department’s leadership. President Donald Trump’s decision to remove Kristi Noem as DHS secretary represents a significant
