← Chronicle · Departure · March 5, 2026

Kristi Noem's Departure from Homeland Security Is Announced

The change at the Department of Homeland Security was announced on March 5, 2026: Kristi Noem would leave the secretary’s office, and Senator Markwayne Mullin would succeed her. The framings of the exit differ and both are carried here. The President and the White House presented the move as a reassignment — Noem to become Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas initiative. Other reporting described the departure as a firing.

The succession itself was settled by the Senate three weeks later: Mullin was confirmed 54–45 on March 23, 2026 and sworn in on March 24 (see the March 24, 2026 entry), taking over the border-enforcement and deportation mission that defines the department in this administration.

Sources: Banked research in this site’s files (research cluster B): Mullin announced March 5, 2026 (Truth Social); Noem to Special Envoy ‘Shield of the Americas’ per Trump/White House; other reporting says fired — both framings attributed. Department of Homeland Security.