Noem out, Trump picks Mullin as DHS secretary

President Donald Trump speaks with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem during a walking tour of an immigration detention center, July 1, 2025, in Ochopee, Florida. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

By JORDAIN CARNEY, MYAH WARD and ERIC BAZAIL-EIMIL • Mar 06, 2026

President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would name Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to be the next Homeland Security secretary, moving current DHS chief Kristi Noem to a special envoy role around Western Hemisphere cooperation in the face of growing frustrations with her tenure.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said Noem “has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!).” Trump added Noem will become a special envoy for the “our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere we are announcing on Saturday” at a summit with Latin American leaders on Saturday in Florida. “I thank Kristi for her service at ‘Homeland,’” he continued.

Trump’s post went out about 20 minutes before Noem began speaking at the Sergeant Benevolent Association Major Cities Conference in Tennessee. Noem did not mention her change of title during prepared remarks. She did address her new role dealing with Western Hemisphere nations in a social media post later Thursday, saying, “I look forward to working with them closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren.” She also hailed “historic accomplishments” under her leadership at DHS.