Kristi Noem replaced as Secretary of Homeland Security in 1st Cabinet change of Trump's 2nd term

Kristi Noem.

President Trump announced Thursday on Truth Social that he's replaced Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. The president appointed Republican U.S. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to succeed her leading the department. 

Noem's dismissal comes after she spent two days on Capitol Hill being grilled by Republican and Democrat members of Congress and defending her record leading the department. Noem withstood harsh questioning on the ubiquitous TV commercials, starring her, that call on illegal immigrants to self deport from the U.S. -- or face deportation by ICE. The line of commercials cost the federal government $220 million to produce and run in various markets across the nation. 

During the hearing on Wednesday, Noem said she received approval for the ad campaign directly from President Trump. But in an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump said, "I never knew ⁠anything about it." Within hours, Trump announced her firing, saying she "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." The president also praised Noem's spectacular results (especially on the Border!)" and thanked her for her service.

Noem's removal comes a day after multiple lawmakers accused her of having an affair with an underling, Corey Lewandowski. Noem, whose husband was seated behind her during the hearing, called the questions "garbage," but never denied that she'd had "sexual relations" with Lewandowski, who is now a special government employee within DHS and is a longtime adviser to the president, including having served as a campaign manager early in Trump's 2016 run. 

Markwayne Mullin was sworn into the Senate in 2023, and was the junior U.S. Senator from Oklahoma. Prior to becoming a senator, Mullin served for a decade in the U.S. House.  He's managed multiple businesses and is a cattle rancher. 

"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," Trump said on Truth Social.

Below, watch the tense moment on Wednesday when Noem was questioned about whether she'd had a relationship with Lewandowski.