Shake up at DHS as Trump announces that Kristi Noem is out and OK Senator Marwayne Mullin is in. It appears that while the President is reassigning her to a new non-cabinet position, it comes from tumultuous Congressional hearings this week where Noem was called out for a controversial ad.

Trump announced on Truth Social that he will nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to replace Noem, effective 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.’”

In her first official statement on X following her departure, Noem thanked Trump for her upcoming appointment.

“Secretary [Marco] Rubio and Secretary of War [Pete Hegseth] are incredible leaders and I look forward to working with them closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren.”

While the public exchange of words was cordial, and that Trump didn’t fire her outright, speaks to restraint from them both in the face of an unhinged Left looking for any wedge to shove at this Administration … from the original choice of Noem and one faux pax after another … Noem has been a distraction.

https://t.co/WieLhZU1zb https://t.co/b53vDQJG1v

— VK (@vjeannek) March 5, 2026

And it’s not as if the Democrats don’t go out of their way with the most salacious of plays to the camera; however, Noem should have known by now that not playing it straight and narrow, especially if it is going to splash back on your boss, doesn’t work. Especially with Donald J. Trump.

Which helps to understand Trump’s appointment of Markwayne Mullin to replace Noem. While the Senator from Oklahoma may not be a household word across the nation, his background and resume is solid. It is easy to expect Sen. Mullin will escape distracting criticism on makeup and hair extensions.

While blue-cities and blue-states are still cosplaying at neo-Confederacy, consistency at the leadership level of DHS must be maintained. Here’s to a smooth and contention free transition.

original graphic by Darleen Click using official portraits in the public domain