President Donald Trump has fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and named Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as her replacement, citing frustration with her leadership and recent congressional scrutiny. The move follows a series of contentious hearings in which Noem faced questions about her management of the department and her role in a controversial government-funded advertising campaign.

Controversy Over Government Ads

The immediate catalyst for Noem’s departure appeared to be her testimony before congressional panels this week, where she claimed that Trump had approved of a $200 million-plus government-funded ad campaign in which she was prominently featured. Trump denied this, telling Reuters, ‘I never knew anything about it.’ The ads, which included a subcontractor run by the husband of Noem’s former spokeswoman, Tricia McLaughlin, have drawn significant criticism.

During a Senate hearing, Senator John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana, pressed Noem on whether Trump had approved the campaign. ‘The president tasked me with getting the message out to the country,’ Noem replied. However, Kennedy remained skeptical and asked if Trump had signed off before the ads aired. Noem confirmed that they had discussed the matter ‘before I was put in this position and sworn in and confirmed.’

Leadership and Policy Disputes

Noem’s tenure at the Department of Homeland Security has been marked by controversy. The agency has been in a shutdown for over two weeks, with Democrats refusing to approve additional funding unless new restrictions are placed on immigration enforcement. Her leadership came under further scrutiny after the killing of Alex Pretti, a registered nurse who was shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in January.

Noem’s response to the incident drew criticism for highlighting the administration’s increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees cybersecurity, natural disaster response, and the Secret Service, has faced internal turmoil under her leadership. Senior officials had long questioned her behavior, from carrying $3,000 in her purse to residing in a Coast Guard commandant’s home.

Replacement and New Role

Trump announced that Noem would be replaced by Senator Markwayne Mullin, a close ally who regularly communicates with the president. Mullin said he hoped to learn from Noem’s tenure and ‘build off things that didn’t quite go as planned.’ Noem will remain in her current role until March 31, according to the president.

Trump also created a new, previously nonexistent role for Noem: special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a new security initiative for the Western Hemisphere. This move comes as the president seeks to address internal discontent and maintain control over his administration. Noem thanked Trump in a social media post, though it remains unclear whether she will accept the new position.

Trump’s decision to replace Noem follows a pattern of high-profile departures and reassignments in his second term. Former national security adviser Michael Waltz was also given a new role, indicating an effort to retain key personnel despite past tensions. However, the administration has faced criticism for its handling of the shutdown and the internal dynamics within the Department of Homeland Security.

Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have insisted that the issue is one of policy, not personnel. ‘The rot is deep. No one person can straighten this up,’ Schumer said, highlighting the broader challenges facing the administration.