Did we just learn why Kristi Noem was fired as Head of DHS? Actually, I should take a step back and first ask “Was Kristi Noem fired?” Many people are reporting she was fired. But as I covered earlier today, that is not what President Trump said. President Trump thanked her for her great work and then seemingly promoted her to a higher position: BREAKING: Kristi Noem OUT As DHS Head, Replacement Already Named That could all just be optics and perhaps President Trump didn’t want to have it look like there was trouble within the Cabinet, I don’t know. But for right now I’m going to take President Trump at face value for what he said. That said, if she was indeed “fired” the NY Post is claiming this is the likely reason: Trump says Kristi Noem lied to Congress about getting his approval for $220M ad campaign featuring herself https://t.co/6bQqm6F8Me pic.twitter.com/D2qOlsdvUr — New York Post (@nypost) March 5, 2026 The NY Post claims it all goes back to a $220 million ad campaign that President Trump claims he was not told about: President Trump said Thursday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem lied to Congress about getting his approval for a $220 million ad campaign featuring herself. “I never knew ⁠anything about it,” Trump told Reuters. Two sources close to the White House told The Post that Trump is furious that Noem testified that he approved of the ads — and set in motion his later move to fire her. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) told CBS on Thursday that he spoke with Trump and that “put it this way, his recollection and her recollection are different.” Here was our original report from earlier today: BREAKING: Kristi Noem OUT As DHS Head, Replacement Already Named Kristi Noem is officially out as Secretary of Homeland Security. The news just broke moments ago: BREAKING: President Trump has announced that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is being replaced by Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin.https://t.co/8yAqUml4p8 pic.twitter.com/80sB1WgrbV — ABC News (@ABC) March 5, 2026 Some are claiming President Trump fired Noem, with the final straw being a “combative” Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. For example, from the Wall Street Journal: WSJ: President Trump is preparing to fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem The final straw for Trump was Noem’s combative hearing Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which showed bipartisan frustration with Noem’s leadership pic.twitter.com/cOxw3Jbr03 — Ryan Saavedra (@RyanSaavedra) March 5, 2026 But the WSJ hasn’t always been a beacon of truth in recent years… And President Trump’s own statement suggests Noem was not fired but is being moved into a different role. Here is the full statement from President Trump: FULL TEXT: I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), effective March 31, 2026. The current Secretary, Kristi Noem, who has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!), will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, our new Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere we are announcing on Saturday in Doral, Florida. I thank Kristi for her service at “Homeland.” Serving 10 years in the United States House of Representatives, and 3 in the Senate, Markwayne has done a tremendous job representing the wonderful People of Oklahoma, where I won all 77 out of 77 Counties — in 2016, 2020, and 2024! A MAGA Warrior, and former undefeated professional MMA fighter, Markwayne truly gets along well with people, and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda. As the only Native American in the Senate, Markwayne is a fantastic advocate for our incredible Tribal Communities. Markwayne will work tirelessly to Keep our Border Secure, Stop Migrant Crime, Murderers, and other Criminals from illegally entering our Country, End the Scourge of Illegal Drugs and, MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN. Markwayne will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP President Trump is not exactly shy about telling someone “You’re fired!” and he’s not usually shy about voicing his displeasure when he is not happy with the job someone has done. In this case, he went out of his way to praise Noem and thank her for a job well done.