Kristi Noem speaks at the Sergeant Benevolent Association conference at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville on March 5, shortly after President Donald Trump announced she would be replaced as Homeland Security secretary. / Imagn
The sudden removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has sparked a noticeable shift inside one of the federal government’s largest agencies, with some employees reportedly expressing relief after months of internal turmoil.
According to reporting by ABC News, several sources inside the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described a dramatic change in atmosphere after President Donald Trump fired Noem earlier this week, marking the first major cabinet shakeup of his second term. One source told the outlet that the reaction inside the department was immediate.
“She’s gone,” the source said, describing what they called a collective “sigh of relief” among some staff members.
Noem is expected to officially leave the department on March 31, according to Trump, who simultaneously announced that she will move into a newly created role as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. The administration has not yet released detailed information about the responsibilities attached to the position.
Trump also tapped Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin to take over as the next secretary of Homeland Security. Mullin will need Senate confirmation before assuming the role, though analysts expect the process to move forward given the current balance of power in the Senate.
Behind the scenes, however, Noem’s tenure appears to have been marked by tension and controversy.
According to multiple current and former DHS officials cited by ABC News, Noem and her senior adviser Corey Lewandowski—who is also reportedly leaving the department—developed reputations for harsh interactions with staff. Sources told the outlet that the two often yelled at or berated employees during internal disagreements.
Officials also criticized what they described as a pattern in which Noem shifted blame to others when controversies arose within the department rather than accepting responsibility.
Her leadership had already drawn scrutiny in recent months over several issues, including multimillion-dollar advertising campaigns, high-profile media appearances during immigration enforcement operations and public comments related to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed during a federal law enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
Even the circumstances surrounding her dismissal were unusual.
According to sources familiar with the situation cited by ABC News, Noem was preparing to deliver a speech at a law enforcement conference in Nashville when she received a call from Trump informing her she was being removed from her post.
Kristi Noem walks off stage after speaking at the Sergeant Benevolent Association conference at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville on March 5, shortly after President Donald Trump announced she would be replaced as Homeland Security secretary. / Imagn
Despite the call, she reportedly took the stage and gave her speech without mentioning the firing.
Later that day, Noem addressed the news on social media, thanking Trump for the opportunity to serve and expressing optimism about her next role.
“In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise I forged over the last 13 months,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, uncertainty remains about the transition at DHS. Because of federal vacancy rules, Mullin cannot serve as acting secretary while awaiting confirmation. If the Senate does not confirm him before Noem’s departure date, the administration may need to appoint an interim leader to run the agency.
For now, the department appears to be entering a new chapter—one that some insiders say has already brought a noticeable change in tone.
