Noem Thanks Trump for New ‘Shield of the Americas’ Role

President Trump announced Thursday that Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma will become the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem. Trump praised Mullin as “highly respected” and said Noem will move to a new role as “Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” part of a Western Hemisphere security initiative the White House plans to detail on Saturday. The leadership change is scheduled to take effect March 31.

Months of speculation
Noem’s reassignment comes after months of speculation about her future leading DHS. Public support for the administration’s aggressive deportation push has declined, and some Republicans had raised questions about her leadership.

Concerns inside the administration
According to sources cited by the Washington Post, President Trump had expressed frustration with Noem over several issues. Among them were the department’s heavily criticized law-enforcement surge in Minnesota, where two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by officers, and Noem’s Senate testimony Tuesday defending a $200 million advertising campaign that prominently featured her.

During the hearing, Noem said Trump had approved the campaign. Sen. John Kennedy later said the president’s recollection differed. “The president’s recollection and her recollection are distinctly different,” Kennedy said, adding that Trump was “not a happy camper” when they spoke.

Her new assignment
The White House said the “Shield of the Americas” initiative will focus on regional security in the Western Hemisphere and will be guided by Trump’s “Donroe Doctrine.” The effort is expected to address issues such as illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

Noem did not mention the leadership change during a public appearance in Nashville on Thursday but later posted on X thanking the president. “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,” she wrote.

Mullin’s nomination
Mullin, whose appointment must be confirmed by the Senate, said on X that he looks forward to earning support from colleagues and carrying out Trump’s mission with the department’s agencies and personnel.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt praised the choice, saying Mullin “has been a fighter for Oklahoma and will fight to keep our nation secure.” Stitt said he plans to appoint a “strong, small government conservative voice” to fill Mullin’s Senate seat if the nomination is confirmed.

Democratic reaction
Many Democrats welcomed the change. Independent Sen. Angus King, who caucuses with Democrats, called Mullin “an upgrade,” adding that “pretty much anybody is.”

Sen. Cory Booker said Noem should still be “held to account” for what he described as corruption in contracting and alleged violations of Americans’ constitutional rights.

Advocacy groups also reacted to the news. The Los Angeles-based Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights called Noem’s departure “long overdue,” arguing that her leadership escalated policies that targeted immigrant families and workers. The group said her successor must ensure agencies such as ICE treat immigrants with “basic human respect.”

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