Kristi Noem She has been the face of DHS since 2025, but her term will only last about a year Donald Trump. Shortly after facing questioning from the House Judiciary Committee in early March 2026, Trump fired Noem and replaced him with his next pick to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security: a senator. Markwayne Mullen. The question now remains: Why was Noem fired? What prompted Trump to fire his secretary at the Department of Homeland Security?
As Americans speculate about her ouster from DHS, we break down all the events that may have led to Noem’s ouster from DHS below.
Why was Kristi Noem fired from the Department of Homeland Security?
Trump did not explain the reason for dismissing Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security. In his March 5 Social Truth Statement, the Republican president thanked her for her “many, astonishing results (especially at the border!)” and announced that Noem “will move on to serve as special envoy for Shield of the Americas, our new hemispheric security initiative that we are announcing on Saturday in Doral, Florida.”
“I thank Christie for her service on Homeland,” Trump concluded.
Noem’s firing came shortly after she faced pressing questions from the House Judiciary Committee. She was criticized by members on both sides of the aisle for her handling of the murders Rene is good and Alex Pretty by federal agents amid protests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the spending of more than $200 million in government funds on advertising, the additional use of $300 million on luxury private jets and her alleged relationship with… Corey Lewandowski.
Did Kristi Noem have an affair with Corey Lewandowski?
Both Noem and Lewandowski have denied relationship rumors, but multiple media outlets have reported on their alleged relationship since 2021. Rep. Sidney Kamlager-Duff asked the former DHS secretary about possibly having “sexual relations” with Lewandowski, her senior advisor at DHS. Noem did not answer the question and said she was “shocked that we came down and sell tabloid trash on this committee today.”
Who will replace Kristi Noem as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security?
senator Markwayne Mullen He will replace Noem as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on March 31, 2026, Trump announced on March 5.
“I am pleased to announce that the highly respected United States Senator from the great state of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullen, will become Secretary of the United States Homeland Security (DHS), effective March 31, 2026,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “During his 10 years serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, and 3 years in the Senate, Markwayne did a tremendous job representing the wonderful people of Oklahoma, winning all 77 of my 77 districts – in 2016, 2020, and 2024!”
Trump, who described Mullen as a “MAGA warrior,” added that the senator is an “undefeated former professional mixed martial arts fighter” who “really gets along with people, and knows the wisdom and courage it takes to advance the America First agenda.”
“As the only Native American in the Senate, Markwayne is an incredible advocate for our wonderful tribal communities,” Trump concluded. “Marquin will work tirelessly to keep our borders secure, stop immigrants, murderers, and other criminals from illegally entering our country, end the scourge of illegal drugs, and make America safe again. Marquin will make a fantastic Secretary of Homeland Security. Thank you for your interest in this matter!”
