By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• President Donald Trump announced he will replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to lead the department.
• The announcement followed increased scrutiny of Noem’s leadership after recent congressional hearings and criticism related to immigration enforcement and departmental management.
• Trump said Noem will transition to a new role as Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a security initiative focused on the Western Hemisphere.
• Mullin must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before assuming leadership of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• DHS oversees major federal agencies including Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and FEMA, making the leadership change significant for national security and law enforcement coordination.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and nominate Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Mariam Zuhaib/AP
The announcement came after increased scrutiny of Noem’s leadership during recent congressional hearings and broader criticism surrounding the department’s immigration enforcement policies and management of federal security operations.
Trump said Noem will take on a new role as Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a security initiative focused on strengthening partnerships and security cooperation across the Western Hemisphere.
Mullin, who currently represents Oklahoma in the U.S. Senate, will require Senate confirmation before formally assuming leadership of the department.
The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for coordinating national security functions across multiple agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.