Trump Fires Kristi Noem as DHS Secretary and Taps Sen. Markwayne Mullin to Replace Her After $220 Million Ad Scandal

President Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday and announced he would replace her with Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, ending a tumultuous tenure defined by aggressive immigration enforcement, the fatal shooting of protesters during ICE operations, and a final straw: Noem's Senate testimony defending a $220 million immigration ad campaign that Trump says he never approved. The move mirrors Trump's earlier demotion of Mike Waltz -- poor optics driving the decision, but MAGA loyalty earning a soft landing rather than outright exile. Noem will be reassigned as special envoy for 'The Shield of the Americas,' a new Western Hemisphere security role. Mullin, a former MMA fighter, Cherokee citizen, and vocal defender of ICE agents as 'red-blooded American patriots,' was greeted with bipartisan reactions: Sen. Fetterman called him a 'nice upgrade' while most Democrats remained noncommittal. The nomination triggers a special election for Mullin's Oklahoma Senate seat, with Reps. Stephanie Bice and Kevin Hern already eyeing the race. The shake-up comes at the worst possible time -- DHS has been shut down for three weeks, the Iran war is straining federal resources, and spring break travel season is approaching with TSA workers missing paychecks.