WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is removing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from her post, marking her the first Cabinet-level ouster of his second term.

In a Truth Social post earlier, President Trump praised Noem’s service particularly on border security and confirmed she will transition to a new role as Special Envoy for “The Shield of the Americas,” a forthcoming Western Hemisphere security initiative which is set to launch soon.

President Trump also announced that Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a staunch Trump ally described as a “MAGA warrior,” will assume the DHS Secretary position effective March 31. Mullin requires Senate confirmation but could serve in an acting capacity pending approval.

The move to oust Noem comes following intense congressional scrutiny, including sharp GOP criticism during Senate hearings over her handling of a controversial $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign that prominently featured her and which she claimed Trump had approved, which the White House denied that the President signed off on it.