Kristi Noem Shares Parting Message on Final Day as Homeland Security Secretary, Touts She’ll Build on Her ‘Expertise’ in New Role

In a swift leadership transition at the Department of Homeland Security, former Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin was sworn in Tuesday as the agency’s new Secretary. The move follows President Donald Trump’s decision to terminate Kristi Noem, 54, whose tenure was marked by internal dysfunction, aggressive immigration tactics, and high-profile ethics allegations.

On Tuesday, March 24, Noem issued a final statement via X (formerly Twitter), framing her departure as a planned transition. She touted what she called the “MOST secure border in American history,” claiming credit for the removal of 3 million illegal aliens and the recovery of 145,000 unaccompanied children.

“I want to thank President Trump for entrusting me to lead the department leading the fight to Make America Safe Again,” Noem wrote.

However, the reality behind her exit appears more turbulent. Sources indicate President Trump grew increasingly dissatisfied with Noem’s performance following combative congressional hearings where she struggled to defend DHS’s enforcement actions. While the President publicly lauded her results on Truth Social, the administration had already moved to replace her with Mullin effective March 31.

Noem’s departure concludes a tenure besieged by reports of mismanagement. A recent Wall Street Journal investigation detailed a “constant state of chaos” within DHS headquarters.

A central point of contention involved a U.S. Coast Guard pilot who was allegedly fired—and later reinstated—following an incident involving Noem’s personal belongings and her advisor, Corey Lewandowski. While Noem and DHS spokespeople have categorically denied reports of an affair between the Secretary and Lewandowski, the advisor’s alleged influence over departmental personnel fueled significant internal friction.

Financial scrutiny also dogged Noem’s leadership. In October 2025, reports surfaced that DHS planned to spend $172 million on two Gulfstream private jets for top officials. This procurement request drew sharp criticism, as it coincided with a Coast Guard plea for a $50 million budget increase to replace aging equipment.

Secretary Markwayne Mullin takes the helm with a mandate to stabilize the department and streamline enforcement operations. Mullin, a staunch Trump ally, is expected to pivot away from the headline-grabbing controversies that defined Noem’s final months.

Noem will remain within the administration’s orbit, transitioning to a new position as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. This new security initiative, focused on Western Hemisphere stability, is scheduled for a formal launch in Doral, Florida, this weekend.

As Mullin assumes control, he faces the immediate challenge of reconciling Noem’s claimed successes with the operational “chaos” reported by career DHS officials.