“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),” said President Donald Trump in a Thursday Truth Social post.
He said Mullin will step into the position at the end of the month, on March 31.
“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,’” Trump added.
This change-up comes after much criticism of Noem, who was formerly the governor of South Dakota, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (a sub-agency of the Department of Homeland Security) actions. Federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens – Renee Good and Alex Pretti – during an enforcement crackdown in Minneapolis, and even members of the GOP pushed back against Noem’s narrative around Pretti’s death.
However, the president called people who suggested Noem should be fired “losers’ in January. This week, more information about recent ICE training cuts was revealed. Noem appeared before lawmakers to answer questions this week.
Before she became DHS secretary, Noem was rumored to be a VP pick for Trump. She also confidently admitted in a memoir that she shot her own young dog, Cricket, because she didn’t like its behavior. Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida wore a pin that read “Justice for Cricket” while questioning Noem Wednesday, Newsweek noted.
As for her replacement at the head of the DHS, Sen. Mullin (R-Ok.) has served in the Senate for three years and served another 10 in the U.S. House of Representatives, Trump said.
He described Mullin as a “MAGA Warrior, and former undefeated professional MMA fighter,” who “truly gets along well with people, and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda.” Trump also said Mullin is the “only Native American in the Senate.”
“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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” said Trump.