ISLAMABAD: President Donald Trump has dismissed Kristi Noem as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, marking the first major cabinet change in his second term. The announcement came on March 5, 2026, following intense bipartisan criticism during a two-day congressional hearing on Capitol Hill. Trump nominated Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to replace her, effective March 31. Noem has been reassigned as special envoy for the newly announced Shield of the Americas security initiative in the Western Hemisphere.
The decision caps a turbulent tenure for Noem, who assumed the role early in Trump’s second administration. Her leadership faced scrutiny over the aggressive immigration crackdown, which included mass deportation operations. Public approval for the president’s immigration policies declined sharply after incidents in Minneapolis, where federal immigration officers fatally shot two US citizens during enforcement actions in January 2026.
The shootings sparked nationwide protests and lawsuits against the department. Noem described one victim as a domestic terrorist before investigations concluded, drawing condemnation from lawmakers across party lines. Bipartisan frustration grew over perceived excessive force and lack of oversight in Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
A key factor in Noem’s dismissal was a controversial $220 million advertising campaign funded by the department. The ads prominently featured Noem, including images of her on horseback near Mount Rushmore to promote border security efforts. During Senate testimony, Noem claimed President Trump had approved the campaign in advance.
Trump publicly denied any knowledge or approval of the expenditure. Sources close to the administration reported that he was furious over the statement, viewing it as an attempt to implicate him in a potential scandal. Republican senators, including those on the Judiciary Committee, described the claim as the final straw that eroded trust.
Multiple reports highlighted accumulated leadership failures. These included mismanagement of staff, ongoing feuds with heads of agencies such as Customs and Border Protection and ICE, and delays in disaster response efforts under the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Allegations of personal misconduct, including infidelity, further complicated her position, though details remained unconfirmed.
The congressional hearings exposed rare unity between Republicans and Democrats in questioning Noem’s decisions. Lawmakers grilled her on the Minneapolis fallout, budget allocations, and the ad campaign’s self-promotional nature. Some GOP figures had quietly urged Trump to act for months to avoid distractions from core immigration priorities.
Trump’s social media post praised Noem’s service, noting spectacular results on border security. He framed the move as a reassignment rather than outright dismissal, thanking her while shifting focus to Mullin. The senator, a loyal Trump ally, is expected to bring a different approach to the department.
The change reflects efforts to streamline the administration’s hard-line agenda without internal drama overshadowing it. Immigration enforcement will continue unabated, officials emphasized. Noem’s departure follows partial government shutdown threats tied to DHS funding disputes earlier in the year.
Analysts view the ouster as a signal of Trump’s intolerance for perceived disloyalty or poor execution. Noem’s high-profile role as a former South Dakota governor had positioned her as a key figure in the immigration push, but controversies eroded support.
Mullin’s nomination requires Senate confirmation, likely facing Democratic opposition but benefiting from Republican majority dynamics. The transition occurs amid ongoing debates over immigration reform and enforcement tactics.
Noem thanked Trump in her response and expressed readiness for the new envoy role, set for announcement in Florida. The episode underscores challenges in implementing sweeping policy changes under intense scrutiny.
This cabinet shift highlights the volatile nature of high-level appointments in polarized times. It may influence future selections as the administration pursues its domestic security objectives.