Trump demotes Kristi Noem — replaces her with MAGA ex-MMA fighter

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he had fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from her initial position.

"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), effective March 31, 2026," the president wrote on Truth Social. "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 noted Mullin was a "MAGA Warrior, and former undefeated professional MMA fighter."

Noem's firing had been rumored after she testified that Trump knew of a $200 million ad campaign to boost her name recognition.