We have breaking news right now. President Donald Trump has removed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and announced Senator Markwayne Mullin as her replacement, with the change expected to take effect on March 31. I am working around the clock to get you updates in real time. Subscribe to support my work and this independent journalism. Your support fuels this work.
According to several Republican lawmakers and individuals familiar with the White House’s internal discussions, Trump has spent the past week speaking with GOP members of Congress about his dissatisfaction with Noem’s performance. During those conversations, the president made clear that he was actively considering replacing her.
White House officials had previously discussed several potential replacements for the role, including Mullin and Senator Steve Daines of Montana. Mullin ultimately emerged as Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
When asked earlier about the possibility of taking the job, Mullin confirmed he had recently spoken with Trump but declined to discuss details.
“I just don’t want to talk about that right now,” Mullin told reporters at the time. “We’ll discuss it later.”
Tensions After Congressional Testimony
The president’s frustration intensified following Noem’s testimony before House and Senate committees earlier this week. Trump reportedly expressed displeasure with how the hearings unfolded and how certain issues were addressed publicly.
One exchange that drew particular attention occurred during questioning about a large advertising campaign tied to the Department of Homeland Security.
Senator John Kennedy pressed Noem about the department spending approximately $220 million on advertisements that prominently featured her.
Kennedy asked how she could justify concerns about government waste while approving such spending.
“It would be helpful to know how effective it has been,” Noem responded.
Kennedy pushed back, arguing that the ads mainly increased her name recognition while placing the president in a politically difficult position.
“It puts the president in a terribly awkward spot,” Kennedy said. “I don’t think Russ Vought would have agreed to that. It is something we have to defend. It troubles me. A quarter of a billion in taxpayer money when we are scratching for every penny.”
A Key Role in Trump’s Immigration Agenda
During her tenure, Noem played a central role in advancing several of Trump’s signature immigration policies. Her department was heavily involved in efforts to increase deportations, restrict immigration, and strengthen enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Her removal would mark the first time a Cabinet secretary has left the administration during Trump’s second term.
House GOP Leaders Pressure Rep. Tony Gonzales to Drop Re-Election Bid
In a separate political controversy, Republican leaders in the House are urging Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas to abandon his reelection campaign after he admitted to an extramarital affair with a former staffer who later died after setting herself on fire.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain released a joint statement publicly calling on Gonzales to step aside from the race.
“Leadership has asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for re-election,” the Republican leaders said. “We have encouraged him to address these very serious allegations directly with his constituents and his colleagues.”
Gonzales acknowledged for the first time this week that he had a relationship with the staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, describing the affair as a “mistake” and saying he is currently working to reconcile with his wife.
Despite the pressure from party leadership, Gonzales remains in the race and is scheduled to face Brandon Herrera in a May 26 runoff election.
The situation has created a new challenge for House Republicans, who are attempting to contain internal controversies while heading into a critical election cycle.
More Epstein Files Coming
Meanwhile, a separate dispute is unfolding on Capitol Hill involving the Department of Justice.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee recently voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi. Shortly afterward, the Department of Justice announced it would release additional files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Garcia said approximately 50,000 Epstein-related files had previously been removed without explanation.
“We are going to end this White House cover-up,” Garcia said.