Republican lawmakers are celebrating President Donald Trump’s choice to tap Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s replacement while thanking Noem for her leadership.
Trump announced Noem’s firing on Truth Social on Thursday afternoon, designating her as the new “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” a new Western Hemisphere security initiative. He announced “MAGA Warrior” Mullin as Noem’s replacement, saying he “truly gets along well with people, and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) posted on X that he thought “it was time for change” at the head of the Department of Homeland Security. Graham said Trump “could not have chosen a better candidate” for the job than Mullin.
“I appreciate Secretary Noem’s service to our country. She will do a great job dealing with the drug cartels in her new role as Special Envoy for The Shield of Americas, and I know she will continue to contribute in the future. However, I think it was time for a change,” Graham said.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told reporters he would work to move quickly on Mullin’s confirmation process.
“He’s obviously pretty well vetted around here, so hopefully we can get the process going because I think that’s a position that’s going to need to be filled quickly,” Thune said.
Sen. Katie Britt (R-FL) congratulated Mullin and thanked Noem “for her service to our nation and all the work she did to execute President Trump’s agenda to make our southern border and interior safer and more secure than ever before.” Britt said she looks forward to supporting Mullin’s confirmation.
Many more of Mullin’s Senate colleagues have congratulated Mullin and said they will support his confirmation, including Sens. Todd Young (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Mullin’s seatmate, James Lankford (R-OK).
The Senate GOP account posted a picture of Mullin, echoing Trump’s words about his leadership capabilities.
DEMOCRATS REACT TO NOEM’S DHS OUSTER AND MARKWAYNE MULLIN’S NOMINATION
But GOP senators aren’t the only ones weighing in; Mullin has garnered support from such leaders as Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), with the former calling Mullin a “fighter.”
Noem’s ouster is effective March 31.