Hegseth Speaks On Noem’s Removal
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, shortly after President Donald Trump announced a leadership change at the Department of Homeland Security.
Trump revealed that Markwayne Mullin will take over leadership of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The change marks the first major Cabinet reshuffle of President Trump’s second administration and comes during an ongoing political battle in Washington over immigration enforcement funding.
Hegseth Praises Noem’s Leadership
Speaking with reporters during a Pentagon briefing about U.S. operations involving Iran, Hegseth said Noem played a critical role in strengthening homeland security efforts.
“We all serve at the pleasure of the president,” Hegseth said. “Kristi Noem did an excellent job leading the department and helping put the country in a strong position.”
Hegseth also expressed strong confidence in Mullin’s ability to lead DHS moving forward.
“I’ve known Markwayne Mullin for many years,” Hegseth said. “He’s a great friend and someone I believe will do a fantastic job protecting the country.”
He added that he has “no concerns” about America’s homeland security strategy under Mullin’s leadership.
Trump Assigns Noem to New Anti-Cartel Initiative
Although Noem is stepping down from DHS, she will remain part of the administration in a new role.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump announced that Noem will serve as special envoy for a regional security program called “The Shield of the Americas.”
The initiative is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation across the Western Hemisphere to combat organized crime and drug cartels responsible for trafficking narcotics into the United States.
Noem responded with a message on X, thanking the president for the opportunity.
She said she looks forward to working with top administration officials to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for flooding the United States with deadly drugs.
Rubio and Other Officials Praise Noem’s Work
Several high-ranking officials praised Noem’s time at DHS.
Marco Rubio said she achieved significant results while leading the department and predicted she would continue to play an important role in strengthening security across the region.
Law enforcement leaders who worked closely with Noem also offered strong support.
Gregory Bovino, who previously oversaw Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, called her the most effective DHS secretary he had worked with.
“She is the best secretary I ever worked for,” Bovino said. “The others weren’t even close. Kristi Noem is the ultimate patriot.”
Behind-the-Scenes Tensions
According to sources familiar with the situation, Trump had previously considered removing Noem following a controversial incident earlier this year involving federal officers and protesters in Minneapolis.
However, the president reportedly decided against taking action at that time because he did not want the move to appear as though he was responding to pressure from political opponents.
Another issue involved a $220 million DHS advertising campaign. During a phone interview with Reuters, Trump said he did not recall approving the campaign.
“I never knew anything about it,” Trump said.
John Kennedy later told reporters that the president was clearly unhappy about the situation.
What the Leadership Change Means
The appointment of Mullin signals a continued focus by the Trump administration on border security, immigration enforcement, and combating international criminal organizations.
Supporters say the shift could strengthen coordination between federal agencies and regional partners throughout the Americas as the administration works to crack down on drug cartels and protect American communities.
At the same time, Noem’s new diplomatic role highlights the administration’s broader strategy to address security threats beyond U.S. borders.
