Trump Ousts Homeland Security Secretary Noem, Nominates Senator Mullin

President Donald Trump’s abrupt removal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday sent ripples through Washington, though the decision found broad support among lawmakers from both parties on Capitol Hill.

The president moved quickly to nominate Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, a trusted ally and member of Senate Republican leadership, to head the sprawling agency that oversees critical aspects of national security and immigration enforcement.

“I think the president is doing what’s necessary to make sure the department is going to be operating effectively,” said Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) on Thursday. “It was time.”

Mullin, 48, brings substantial legislative experience to the role, having previously served multiple terms in the House of Representatives before his elevation to the Senate, where he currently holds a position in GOP leadership.

Noem’s tenure at DHS was marred by mounting controversies that ultimately undermined her position within the administration. At the center of criticism was a $200 million advertising campaign she claimed had presidential approval, as well as her widely criticized response to the fatal shootings of two Americans by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis earlier this year.

The secretary faced particularly harsh scrutiny during congressional hearings this week. On Tuesday, Republican senators including Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Kennedy of Louisiana delivered scathing criticisms during her appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Obviously, it did not go well,” Donalds remarked about Noem’s performance during the hearings.

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a moderate lawmaker not seeking reelection, expressed concerns about fiscal responsibility at the department. “There’s legit concerns. When there was a $200 million advertising [campaign], we should be better stewards of our money,” Bacon said. “I think the president probably saw a need for change.”

While DHS officials have defended the advertising campaign, claiming it resulted in millions of self-deportations, questions about contract awards and potential conflicts of interest continued to dog the secretary.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) told Fox News Digital that Noem’s departure would eliminate “distractions” and “conflicts” that had become problematic during her leadership tenure. “The department needs to be entirely focused on its mission, given the situation in the Middle East right now,” Lawler said, referring to the ongoing Operation Epic Fury in Iran.

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), who is not seeking reelection, wrote on social media that a “change in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security was long overdue.”

Democrats, who had been among Noem’s fiercest critics, also welcomed the personnel change. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee, said: “She’s done enough damage that the president finally came to his senses.”

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), who had confronted Noem during her testimony to the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, argued she would be remembered as the worst DHS secretary in the agency’s 20-year history. However, when asked about Mullin’s appointment, Moskowitz struck a conciliatory tone.

“She’s left him a disaster, but obviously I want him to succeed,” the Florida Democrat said. “We should all want that, so let’s give him that opportunity.”

The leadership change comes at a critical moment for the Department of Homeland Security, which faces ongoing challenges related to border security, cyberthreats, and counterterrorism operations amid heightened international tensions.

Mullin’s confirmation process in the Senate is expected to move forward promptly, as the administration seeks to establish stable leadership at one of the government’s most expansive and complex departments.