Photo: Alamy
The now-former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and her nominated potential successor, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., issued statements in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to change the agency’s leadership.
President Trump removed Noem from her position on Thursday amid her controversial testimony before the U.S. Senate earlier this week, and appointed her to pioneer a newly established Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, RSBN previously reported.
Although leaving the DHS, Noem expressed gratitude to the president for her new role.
“Thank you @POTUS Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” Noem wrote in a post to X shortly after the president broke the announcement.
She further expressed her excitement to work alongside “incredible leaders” like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to take down dangerous drug cartels.
“The Western Hemisphere is absolutely critical for U.S. security,” she continued. “In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise, I forged over the last 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security.”
Noem likewise touted her accomplishments as DHS secretary, including her facilitation of mass deportations, locating missing children, streamlining FEMA disaster relief, making travel more safe, and saving $13 billion in taxpayer dollars while revitalizing the U.S. Coast Guard.
Meanwhile, Mullin, Oklahoma’s junior senator since 2023, expressed his excitement about leading DHS.
“As a kid from Westville, it has been the greatest honor and privilege to serve the people of Oklahoma for the past thirteen years in both the House and Senate,” he wrote in a post to X.
He continued, “I am grateful to President Trump for nominating me to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the Senate and carrying out President Trump’s mission alongside the department’s many capable agencies and the thousands of patriots who keep us safe every day.”
“President Trump ran on restoring law and order, and he quickly delivered the most secure U.S. border in American history. I look forward to supporting @POTUS’ mission to safeguard the American people and defend the homeland,” he concluded.
