President Donald Trump announced Thursday, March 5, 2026 that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was leaving her post, and will be replaced by Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Republican from Oklahoma. Kristi Noem will become Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, a position for a new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere.
On Truth Social, Trump announced …
“I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), effective March 31, 2026. The current Secretary, Kristi Noem, who has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!), will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere we are announcing on Saturday in Doral, Florida. I thank Kristi for her service at “Homeland.”
Serving 10 years in the United States House of Representatives, and 3 in the Senate, Markwayne has done a tremendous job representing the wonderful People of Oklahoma, where I won all 77 out of 77 Counties — in 2016, 2020, and 2024! A MAGA Warrior, and former undefeated professional MMA fighter, Markwayne truly gets along well with people, and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda. As the only Native American in the Senate, Markwayne is a fantastic advocate for our incredible Tribal Communities. 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. Markwayne will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security.”
Mullin was sworn into office as Oklahoma Senator on January 3rd, 2023, following ten years of service to Oklahoma in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Mullin grew up on his family’s cattle ranch in Westville, Oklahoma where he and his family reside currently.
Senator Mullin is an enrolled member of Cherokee Nation and is the first Tribal citizen to serve in the U.S. Senate in nearly two decades. Mullin is the second Cherokee Nation citizen to ever serve in the chamber.
Markwayne Mullin is a former undefeated Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter with a professional record of 5-0. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016, and continues to coach wrestling in his community.
Kristi Noem replied with a post on X …
“Thank you @POTUS Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. @SecRubio and
@SecWar are incredible leaders and I look forward to working with them closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren.
The Western Hemisphere is absolutely critical for U.S. security. In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise, I forged over the last 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security.
We have made historic accomplishments at the Department of Homeland Security to make America safe again: we delivered the MOST secure border in American history, 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S., we have located 145,000 children, FEMA delivered disaster relief at a 100% faster rate, we ushered in the golden age of travel, saved the American taxpayer $13 billion and revitalized the U.S. Coast Guard.”
ANALYSIS: Kristi Noem out as DHS Sec. – Kristi Noem is being removed from her position as head of DHS and Secretary of Homeland Security in President Trump’s cabinet, with Markwayne Mullin being suggested to replace her before being confirmed (LiveNOW from FOX). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Virginia Cardinal News (virginia.arlingtoncardinal.com) is a U.S.-based news aggregation website focusing on …
US & World News
US & World Breaking News
Local news near Arlington, Virginia and Washington D.C.
(Beltway, DMV — District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia)
