US President Donald Trumphas announced that Kristi Noem will leave her role as Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), marking the first cabinet-level departure of his second term. The White House confirmed on Thursday that Oklahoma SenatorMarkwayne Mullin has been nominated to replace her, with the transition expected to take place by 31 March 2026 pending Senate confirmation.
According to the announcement, Noem will move to a newly created diplomatic position asSpecial Envoy for the 'Shield of the Americas,'a regional security initiative focused on cooperation between the United States and countries across the Western Hemisphere. The transition is expected to take effect by 31 March 2026, subject to Senate confirmation of Mullin.
The decision follows a week of congressional hearings in which Noem faced questioning from lawmakers over DHS spending and several operational matters involving federal law-enforcement agencies. During the hearings, she was also asked about longstanding allegations concerning her relationship with a political adviser.
Less than 24 hours after House Judiciary Democrats grilled Secretary Noem before our Committee, Trump had no choice but to fire her. ⁰ ⁰Her tenure was marked by systematic constitutional violations, cruelty, corruption, and deadly mismanagement. 2 Americans were killed under…https://t.co/kWZgimi9yK
During aHouse Judiciary Committee hearing, Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked Noem whether she had engaged in 'sexual relations' withCorey Lewandowski, a longtime political operative and former campaign manager for Trump. Lewandowski has served as an adviser to Noem in various capacities.
Noem rejected the claim during the hearing, calling the accusation 'tabloid garbage' and accusing lawmakers of spreading false information about conservative women.
A big thank you to Democratic House Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove for helping shove both Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski out of that taxpayer-funded jet.👏pic.twitter.com/RYK834n1xJ
Her office has previously denied reports suggesting an extramarital relationship between the two. Lewandowski has also rejected the allegations, describing them in past statements as politically motivated claims.
Rumours about a possible relationship between Noem and Lewandowski have circulated in US political circles for several years. However, no independent evidence supporting the claims has been presented publicly.
The issue resurfaced during the recent congressional hearings as lawmakers questioned the secretary about her relationship with advisers and outside consultants connected to the department. Lewandowski has previously served in advisory roles connected to political and policy initiatives involving immigration and border enforcement.
Source: International Business Times UK
