WASHINGTON — President Donald J. Trump announced that Kristi Noem will step down as Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security, with Markwayne Mullin set to take over the position effective March 31, 2026.
Trump made the announcement Thursday, saying Mullin, currently a U.S. senator from Oklahoma will become the next Secretary of Homeland Security after serving more than a decade in Congress.
According to the announcement, Noem will transition into a new role as Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a security initiative focused on cooperation and border security across the Western Hemisphere.
Trump praised Noem’s work leading DHS, citing what he described as strong results on border enforcement and national security.
“Kristi Noem has served us well and delivered spectacular results, especially on the border,” Trump wrote in a statement.
Mullin’s Background
Mullin previously served 10 years in the U.S. House of Representatives before being elected to the United States Senate, where he has represented Oklahoma for the past three years.
Before entering politics, Mullin was known for his background as a professional mixed martial arts fighter, going undefeated in his career before transitioning into public service. Trump also highlighted Mullin as the only Native American currently serving in the Senate, noting his advocacy for tribal communities.
Trump said Mullin will focus on several priorities at DHS, including:
• Border security
• Preventing illegal immigration and transnational crime
• Combating drug trafficking
• Strengthening national security initiatives across the Americas
“Markwayne will work tirelessly to keep our border secure, stop migrant crime, and end the scourge of illegal drugs,” Trump said in the announcement.
Transition Set for March 31
The leadership change at DHS is scheduled to take effect March 31, 2026. Mullin will step into the role overseeing one of the federal government’s largest agencies, which manages border protection, immigration enforcement, cybersecurity, disaster response, and national security operations.
Noem’s new diplomatic role tied to the “Shield of the Americas” initiative is expected to focus on strengthening security partnerships with countries throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Further details about the new initiative are expected to be announced at an upcoming event in Doral, Florida, according to the statement.
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