On March 5, Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, was removed from her position by President Donald Trump. Trump addressed Noem’s removal by saying she “has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!)”. Noem has since been repositioned as “special envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” a new security initiative focused on the Western Hemisphere, as Trump explained. On X, Noem later thanked Trump for her new position and spoke about her experience as DHS head: “We have made historic accomplishments at the Department of Homeland Security to make America safe again.”
Trump has also announced Noem’s replacement, saying on Truth Social, “I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security.” In 2012, Mullin ran for Congress on his conservative platform against the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act. He served as a congressman until 2022, when he ran for Senate and won.
Following the months of numerous anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests across the country, many are upset with the United States handling of immigration. Sophomore Brenna Olmert explained her disapproval, saying Noem’s handling of immigration in the country, explaining “she’s not been doing very good” and that immigration policy under Noem has been “discrimination-based.” Olmert referenced the recent killings of protesters by ICE agents as an example of Noem’s failings as DHS secretary.
With new leadership comes the question of whether immigration policy in the US will become a resolved issue for Americans or if Trump has appointed another unpopular head of DHS. Senior Mia Rees-Gómez questioned Mullin’s qualifications, saying, “In the interviews, he wasn’t able to recite basic amendments and laws, and so while he may not be as aggressive as Noem was, I doubt he’ll be much better.” It remains to be seen whether the Oklahoma senator can change public opinion of DHS’s immigration policy.
