Overview
- President Trump said Noem will depart March 31 and named Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin to take over, a role that requires Senate confirmation for a permanent appointment.
- Noem will move to a new post as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a Western Hemisphere security initiative the president plans to unveil Saturday in Doral, Florida.
- The announcement followed combative House and Senate hearings where Republicans and Democrats pressed Noem on a $200–$220 million ad campaign that featured her; Noem testified Trump approved it, which the White House and the president denied.
- Lawmakers also questioned Noem about January operations in Minneapolis that left Renee Good and Alex Pretti dead; she had called them domestic terrorists, a characterization challenged by video evidence as investigations continue.
- Oversight pressure included an OIG letter alleging probes were impeded and criticism of procurement and FEMA delays, while DHS faces a funding standoff that has partially shut the department.