US President Donald Trump has fired Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem following mounting criticism of the department’s leadership.
Trump made the announcement on social media Thursday, local time, two days after Noem faced gunfire from Republicans and Democrats at the Capitol.
Noem, who President Trump said has “served us well,” will assume a new role called “Special Envoy for the Americas.”
This is “a new security initiative for the Western Hemisphere that we will be announcing on Saturday,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“We would like to thank Christie for her contributions to Homeland.”
Noem is under pressure over her handling of immigration matters.
secretary mentioned two civilians shot and killed by ICE agents. In another case in Minnesota, he was accused of engaging in domestic terrorism. Video evidence did not support these claims.
The murders of Renee Good and Alex Preti sparked a huge public backlash against the president’s immigration policies.
Another point of scrutiny was a $220 million ad campaign featuring Ms. Noem that encouraged illegal immigrants to leave the country voluntarily.
Noem previously told lawmakers that Trump knew about the campaign in advance, but Trump disputed this in an interview with Reuters on Thursday, saying Trump did not consent to the ad campaign.
Aside from immigration, Noem also faced criticism over the pace of emergency funding approved through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Trump administration’s disaster response.
Noem will be the first Cabinet member to resign during Trump’s second term.
Trump said Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin would replace her.
Markwayne Mullin says he has “no idea” how quickly his nomination will be decided. (AP Photo: Jacqueline Martin)
“Mark Wayne, a MAGA warrior and former undefeated professional mixed martial artist, really gets along well with people,” Trump said.
“Mark Wayne will work tirelessly to secure our borders, stop immigrant criminals, murderers, and other criminals from entering the country illegally, end the scourge of illegal drugs, and restore safety to Americans.”
Mullin will need Senate confirmation. However, under federal law governing executive branch vacancies, he will be allowed to serve as acting secretary of Homeland Security pending his nomination.
Mullin, who voted in the Senate shortly after Trump’s announcement, said he had “no idea” how quickly his nomination would be decided.
“The president and I are good friends, so I’m looking forward to working more closely with the White House. Naturally, I’m going to be going to the White House more,” he said.
ABC/AP