President Trump has replaced embattled DHS Secretary Kristi Noem with Senator Markwayne Mullin following a period of intense bipartisan backlash and a sharp decline in public support for the administration’s immigration policies.
President Trump announced Thursday that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will vacate her position to serve as Special Envoy for the “Shield of the Americas” security initiative, with Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) set to succeed her on March 31. The leadership shakeup follows a tumultuous tenure marked by bipartisan calls for Noem’s impeachment and plummeting public support for the administration’s immigration agenda following the fatal federal shootings of two individuals in January.
Trump praised Mullin as a “MAGA Warrior” who “truly gets along well with people, and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda,” further stating that “Markwayne will work tirelessly to Keep our Border Secure, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, End the Scourge of Illegal Drugs and, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN.” The transition comes as the administration reportedly considers “recalibrating” its enforcement tactics after Noem faced intense scrutiny for high-profile spending on luxury jets and self-promotional advertising.