WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has selected Markwayne Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma and member of the Cherokee Nation, to serve as secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem.

Mullin, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives who now serves in the U.S. Senate, is widely known in Washington as a staunch supporter of Israel and a strong advocate for close U.S.-Israel security cooperation.

The Oklahoma lawmaker has called for robust American military assistance to Israel and has opposed calls for a ceasefire in Israel’s war against militant groups in the region. He has also been critical of policies under former President Joe Biden that he argued limited Israel’s ability to defend itself.

Mullin introduced the “Stand with Israel Act,” legislation aimed at cutting U.S. funding to agencies within the United Nations that downgrade or restrict Israel’s participation in the international body.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mullin is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation and one of the few Native Americans serving in the Senate.

His selection signals Trump’s intention to place a close political ally and strong supporter of Israel in a key Cabinet-level national security role overseeing border security, immigration enforcement and domestic counterterrorism efforts.