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Trump Fires Kristi Noem: First Cabinet Secretary Dismissed in Shocking DHS Shakeup

President Trump fired DHS Secretary Kristi Noem after clashes with border czar Tom Homan and a controversial 20 million ad campaign scandal.

Michael Ringer

Michael Ringer

— 3 min read
Kristi Noem at a Department of Homeland Security event before being fired by President Trump as the first cabinet secretary dismissed in his second term

Trump Fires Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary After Mounting Controversies and Clashes With Border Czar Tom Homan

President Donald Trump fired Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Thursday, March 5, 2026, making her the first cabinet official dismissed in his second term.

Trump announced the shakeup via Truth Social, stating that Noem "has served us well" but would be reassigned as Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, a new Western Hemisphere security initiative being announced in Doral, Florida.

The firing came after weeks of escalating tensions between Noem and White House border czar Tom Homan. A key flashpoint was the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti by ICE agents in January. Noem publicly claimed Pretti was armed, but video footage did not conclusively support her claim. Homan told CNN he did not know what information prompted her statements.

An administration official said the decision was based on "a culmination of her many unfortunate leadership failures including the fallout in Minnesota, the ad campaign, the allegations of infidelity, the mismanagement of her staff, and her constant feuding with the heads of other agencies, including CBP and ICE."

Kristi's drama sadly overshadowed and distracted from the administration's extremely popular immigration agenda, which will continue full force.

A senior administration official

The final breaking point came during two consecutive days of combative congressional hearings earlier this week. Noem testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that Trump had approved a $220 million DHS advertising campaign featuring her leadership. The White House swiftly denied this, with an official stating: "POTUS did not sign off on a $220 MILLION dollar ad campaign. Absolutely not."

Trump nominated Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as her replacement. The former MMA fighter and first term senator will take over as DHS Secretary effective March 31, 2026, pending Senate confirmation.

Under Noem's leadership, DHS announced over 2.5 million illegal immigrants left the country, including 605,000 removed through enforcement operations and 1.9 million who voluntarily self deported since January 2025.

Senator Markwayne Mullin Named as New DHS Secretary to Continue Immigration Enforcement Agenda

Senator Markwayne Mullin speaking at a press conference after being nominated as the new DHS Secretary by President Trump

Trump praised Mullin as someone who "gets along well with people" and will advance the America First agenda. Mullin served a decade in the House before winning a 2022 Senate special election in Oklahoma. He is widely regarded as a fiercely loyal Trump ally.

Corey Lewandowski, a close aide and adviser to Noem, is also expected to leave DHS as part of the transition.

The Crusader's Opinion

This is what happens when ego replaces service. Kristi Noem was given one of the most consequential roles in American governance, protecting our borders and enforcing our laws, and she turned it into a personal branding campaign. A $220 million ad campaign starring yourself? While Christians are being persecuted worldwide and our borders still need securing?

We need leaders who fear God more than they love cameras. Senator Mullin has a chance to refocus DHS on what matters: protecting American families, enforcing the law with integrity, and securing a nation that was founded on Christian principles. We pray he rises to the occasion.

Take Action

  • Pray for Senator Markwayne Mullin as he prepares to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Pray for wisdom, integrity, and a servant's heart.
  • Contact your U.S. Senator and urge them to prioritize a swift confirmation process for the new DHS Secretary. Find your senator at senate.gov.
  • Stay informed on immigration enforcement and border security by following trusted Christian news sources that report facts without agenda.
  • Support persecuted Christians and displaced families through The Shepherd's Shield, which provides direct aid to those affected by conflict and persecution.
  • Discuss this story with your church community. Ask: what kind of leadership do we want representing Christian values in government?
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