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Kristi Noem is out and Senator Markwayne Mullin is in. One is leaving a big job; the other is inheriting a big mess.
Noem, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—the third-largest department in the federal government—departs the role as problems pile up. It means Mullin, if confirmed to the role by the Senate following President Donald Trump's nomination, is stepping into a far tougher situation than the one Noem faced when she started in January 2025.
In recent months, the department's turmoil has spilled into the headlines.
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A major federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota, known as Operation Metro Surge, sparked protests, lawsuits and investigations after two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by federal agents in separate incidents.
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Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, is tasked with cleaning up the mess he is set to inherit while also keeping a famously unpredictable boss happy.
In Trump's Washington, loyalty alone isn't enough. One must be MAGA and mega: Loyal to the president but also competent enough to turn chaos into results.
If things go well, Trump will claim victory while offering a quick nod of approval during one of his theatrical Cabinet meetings. But if things go badly—and the president looks bad in the process—one can quickly end up in the doghouse.
Just ask Kristi Noem.
And there is plenty for Mullin to deal with at the department when, Senate confirmation pending, he takes over.
Partial DHS Shutdown
DHS remains stuck in partial shutdown after Congress failed to pass a funding bill, in large part because of a Democratic-driven backlash against Noem's handling of the department, especially its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection agencies.
Core enforcement activities continue using previously appropriated funds. But thousands of staff—including those at the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)—are working without pay.
At the top of Mullin's in-tray is the shutdown, which Senate Democrats say they intend to continue until their demands on immigration enforcement are met.
His Senate experience may help him to square that circle, but securing the votes for funding may require uncomfortable compromises with Democrats that disrupt immigration enforcement.
Investigations Into ICE Fatal Shootings
Noem's tenure erupted into chaos when the unprecedentedly large immigration enforcement surge into Minneapolis sparked protests and clashes with federal agents that ultimately led to the deaths of two U.S. citizens: Renée Good and Alex Pretti.
Their untimely deaths, which the administration said resulted from agents lawfully acting in self-defense, sparked national outrage and protests, as well as investigations that have been complicated by disputes between state and federal authorities over access to evidence.
Noem drew criticism from both parties after repeatedly defending the agents' actions and declining to acknowledge any potential wrongdoing in their conduct during the operation, despite multiple concerning reports from Minnesota.
ICE and Border Patrol ultimately scaled down the intensity of the operation in Minneapolis and retreated, reputationally damaged in the aftermath.
Last month, Newsweek uncovered a third fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen, Ruben Ray Martinez, by a federal agent.
Mullin—who also forcefully defended the agents involved—inherits the investigations, the legal and political fallout, and the tough task of repairing DHS's reputation while also trying to meet Trump's hard-line mass deportation goals.
Widespread Litigation Over Immigration Detentions
DHS faces extensive litigation stemming from the aggressive immigration policies and enforcement practices implemented under Noem's leadership.
Civil rights groups and immigration advocates have filed dozens of lawsuits, including class actions, alleging that ICE violated federal law, ignored court orders and deported individuals without required due‑process protections.
And they've seen some success because of the haphazard way enforcement has been handled in many cases.
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Federal judges in multiple jurisdictions have documented repeated instances in which ICE transferred or removed detainees despite judicial stays, prompting scathing rebukes and threats of contempt.
Other lawsuits challenge policy shifts that allowed the arrest and deportation of crime victims and migrants with pending or approved legal protections.
The litigation has placed DHS under sustained judicial scrutiny and raised questions about compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional safeguards.
Once Mullin assumes control, the department remains exposed to court‑ordered reforms, injunctions and potential damages.
Bipartisan Backlash to Noem's DHS
Noem's handling of DHS drew unusually broad bipartisan criticism, extending well beyond immigration policy. That upset was on full display at her last appearance in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Democrats accused her of fostering a culture of impunity within ICE, while Republicans openly questioned her management of disaster response, cybersecurity and congressional relations.
GOP senators criticized delays in FEMA disaster assistance and accused Noem of micromanagement that slowed emergency aid.
Lawmakers from both parties accused DHS of stonewalling oversight, restricting access to facilities and failing to provide timely testimony. Several Republicans publicly suggested Noem lacked the experience to run a sprawling national security agency.
The bipartisan nature of the criticism weakened Noem's standing on Capitol Hill and eroded support for DHS funding, contributing directly to the shutdown.
By the time of her removal, dissatisfaction with her leadership had become entrenched across committees responsible for DHS oversight and appropriations—yet more political repair work for Mullin.
Internal DHS Morale Slump
DHS has struggled with low morale, leadership instability and tensions between political appointees and career officials during Noem's tenure.
There was particular turbulence inside the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), where officials described "months of instability" and continued reliance on acting leadership while awaiting Senate‑confirmed direction, per Politico.
"Morale is low, people are looking for glimmers of hope, they are trying to find something positive, because it does feel like every time you move forward, you get kicked in the stomach," an unnamed official who recently left CISA told the publication.
"You're there because you want to contribute to a greater good, and it's hard to do that right now because everything is seen through a political lens," they continued.
Structural changes and cutbacks to certain DHS offices prompted resistance. In January, unions and nonprofits sued DHS over staff cuts at FEMA, with Noem overseeing the process, according to Federal News Network.
ICE and Border Patrol agents were also experiencing a sense of disillusionment due to the intensity of the work under the Trump administration's targets and the public backlash, The New York Times reported after interviewing 20 agents.
There is a well-documented staffing strain across DHS at a time of heightened operational demands.
For Mullin, restoring morale, rebuilding trust with the workforce and stabilizing leadership ranks will be essential to regaining effectiveness and credibility.
Mullin's Big Test
The role is a big step up for Mullin. He has passed Trump's MAGA loyalty test well enough to secure the nomination from a president he describes as a friend. But that test is just the first. The bigger one begins now: Can he steer DHS out of the tempest?
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