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How Kristi Noem finally lost Trump — and her job

Noem was fired after controversies over department spending, immigration enforcement and her management of the agency.

How Kristi Noem finally lost Trump — and her job
Image · CNN

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Outlet credibilityCNN84/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
CNN
Mar 6, 2026
tl;dr

President Donald Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and selected Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace her after a series of controversies, including scrutiny of a $220 million advertising campaign. Mullin’s appointment would put a senator with strong ties to Trump’s immigration agenda in charge of the department.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Kristi Noem Former U.S. Representative (R-SD)
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Noem in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Noem’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

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Kristi Noem
Former U.S. Representative (R-SD)

Homeland Security secretary fired by Trump

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who fired Noem and selected Mullin to replace her

Trump's version of this story ↗
Markwayne Mullin
Secretary of Homeland Security

Senator selected by Trump to replace Noem as Homeland Security secretary

Mullin's version of this story ↗
Thom Tillis
R · NC · SEN

Senator who praised Mullin after his selection

John Kennedy
R · LA · SEN

Senator who questioned Noem about the advertising campaign

ALSO MENTIONED  Corey Lewandowski, Noem’s unpaid subordinate, named in an alleged relationship that both deny; Gregory Bovino, Border Patrol official associated with immigration enforcement operations; Tom Homan, White House border czar involved in immigration enforcement

Part of a bigger story

27 OUTLETS
Trump Announces Noem's Departure, Picks Mullin for Homeland Security

Outlets on the left, center and right report that President Donald Trump removed Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary and selected Sen. Markwayne Mullin as her intended successor. Left-leaning outlets emphasize criticism of Noem’s tenure and, in one account, argue her reassignment falls short of accountability. Center outlets pair the personnel change with scrutiny of spending, immigration enforcement and management, mostly in reportorial terms. Right-leaning outlets also link the firing to enforcement and spending scrutiny, while one article focuses on speculation about Noem’s possible Senate primary challenge.

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