WASHINGTON (AP) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was dismissed by President Donald Trump on Thursday following criticism of her department’s handling of immigration and disaster response. Her removal was announced on social media, where Trump also stated his intention to nominate Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma as her successor.
Noem, a former ally of the president, faced bipartisan criticism this week during congressional hearings, particularly regarding her oversight of immigration enforcement and the department’s financial management. Questions about her department’s spending and her conduct following the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis contributed to her dismissal.
Despite her departure, Trump praised Noem’s service, particularly her work on border security. He appointed her as a “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” a new initiative focusing on Western Hemisphere security.
While attending a law enforcement event in Nashville, Tennessee, Noem did not comment on her dismissal but later expressed gratitude for her new role and highlighted her achievements as secretary in a social media post, stating, “We have made historic accomplishments at the Department of Homeland Security to make America safe again.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that the administration plans to work with the Senate to confirm Mullin, describing him as “extraordinarily qualified” for the DHS leadership.
Criticism of Immigration Policies
Noem’s leadership faced significant scrutiny, especially after hearings where her initiatives, including a $220 million ad campaign urging unauthorized immigrants to leave voluntarily, were criticized. Although Noem claimed Trump was aware of the campaign, he later denied approving it.
The handling of the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis by immigration enforcement officers further intensified criticism. Her department was central to an ongoing funding battle in Congress over immigration enforcement tactics, leading to a temporary DHS shutdown.
Some Republicans had anticipated Noem’s removal, suggesting it might lead Democrats to agree on funding the department. However, Democrats viewed her departure as an expected result of her growing liability to the GOP.
Noem also faced criticism for the pace of emergency funding distribution and the administration’s disaster response. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer expressed relief at her departure, while immigration activists questioned whether it would lead to substantial changes in the immigration agenda.
Vanessa Cárdenas from America’s Voice criticized Noem’s tenure as “marked by cruelty,” whereas Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino praised her as “the ultimate patriot.”
Leadership Transition at a Critical Juncture
Mullin is expected to lead the DHS, pending Senate confirmation. Meanwhile, he can serve as acting secretary as long as his nomination is pending, according to federal law. After Trump’s announcement, Mullin expressed uncertainty about the timeline for his confirmation but emphasized his close relationship with the White House.
As DHS secretary, Mullin will oversee the third-largest government department, tasked with implementing Trump’s stringent immigration policies. His tenure begins at a crucial time for these policies, which have frequently led to confrontations with activists and protests.
Notably, high-profile immigration enforcement operations in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis, often led by Bovino and sometimes accompanied by Noem, have sparked significant opposition. The recent events in Minneapolis prompted a reduction in officers and a reshuffling of leadership.
