The Donald Trump administration announced a major leadership change in the United States Department of Homeland Security, confirming that Kristi Noem will step down as Homeland Security Secretary by the end of the month.
According to official statements, Trump plans to nominate Markwayne Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma, to take over the leadership of the department. However, Mullin’s nomination must first be approved by the United States Senate before he can officially assume office.
Kristi Noem, who previously served as governor of South Dakota, became Homeland Security Secretary shortly after Donald Trump returned to the White House in 2025. During her tenure, she played a key role in enforcing the administration’s strict immigration policies across the United States.
Under Noem’s leadership, immigration enforcement agencies carried out large-scale operations in major American cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.. These operations involved workplace inspections, neighborhood raids, and other enforcement actions aimed at identifying undocumented immigrants.
However, the aggressive enforcement approach sparked widespread criticism and protests in several communities across the country. Civil rights groups and lawmakers expressed concerns about the methods used during these operations and their impact on local communities.
The controversy intensified earlier this year after federal immigration agents shot and killed two US citizens in Minneapolis. At the time, Noem described the victims as “domestic terrorists,” but later video evidence contradicted those claims and raised serious questions about the handling of the incident.
The case triggered strong public backlash and political pressure from several lawmakers who demanded accountability and transparency. Some members of Congress also called for Noem’s removal from office.
With the nomination of Markwayne Mullin, the Trump administration appears to be seeking new leadership for the Department of Homeland Security amid ongoing debates over immigration policy and national security strategies in the United States.
