Since Trump began his second term, his Cabinet has been on notice, but no one expected the first ouster to come so suddenly and hit so hard.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is out. The president made the move after weeks of tension following her testimony before Congress.
Noem surprised lawmakers when she revealed under oath that Trump had approved a $220 million ad campaign meant to raise her national profile. “I never knew anything about it,” Trump told Reuters, insisting he had no knowledge of the project and was caught off guard by her statement.
The controversy stretches beyond the ad campaign.
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Noem has been linked to an alleged affair with top advisor Corey Lewandowski. Both deny the claims. It is not known if Lewandowski will leave DHS alongside her, but the situation adds to the chaos surrounding her departure.
Trump acted to fill the gap. Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma will become the next DHS Secretary, effective March 31, 2026.
On Truth Social, Trump called Mullin “highly respected” and said he “will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security.” He also praised Noem, noting her “spectacular results, especially on the Border,” and reassigned her as Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, the administration’s new Western Hemisphere security initiative.
The Senate hearings that put Noem’s departure in motion were intense.
Lawmakers pressed her hard about the $220 million ad campaign. Noem defended herself under oath: “All done correctly, all done legally.” She said the contracts were awarded through a competitive process and insisted there was no wrongdoing. One of the ads showed her wearing a cowboy hat, riding a horse in front of Mt. Rushmore.
Questions didn’t stop at the ads. Senators challenged Noem over the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during federal DHS operations in Minnesota.
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar asked directly, “Do you take responsibility for how these operations were handled, and for the lives lost?” Noem replied, “The agents followed the procedures we had in place. They faced dangerous situations, and their actions were based on the information available at the time.”
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin pressed her further: “These shootings have shaken communities. How can you justify them as necessary?” Noem responded, “Every decision was made under legal authority. I stand by our teams’ professionalism.”
Republicans also weighed in. Senator Thom Tillis said, “The public trust in DHS is shaken. Leadership decisions must be accountable.”
Mullin initially dodged questions about his potential nomination. “I haven’t talked to the President all week, so I couldn’t even help you with that answer,” he said, before Trump officially announced him as the replacement.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
