'She's gone': Kristi Noem exits DHS as staff breathe relief amid leadership change

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump’s decision to fire Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, March 5, reportedly caused a sudden shift in the agency’s atmosphere.

Staff at DHS reportedly felt relief after Noem was fired. Those familiar with her and her top adviser, Corey Lewandowski, who is also leaving, said both were prone to outbursts and harshly criticized staff. Their departures bring a change in leadership at the department.

Trump has named Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as her replacement.

Kristi Noem’s exit changes DHS staff morale

Noem’s departure reportedly sparked an immediate shift in the atmosphere at DHS, ending months of tension and internal disputes. A source told ABC News that staff feel a sense of relief now that she is gone.

Her tenure was marked by lavish advertising campaigns, high-profile photo ops during Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, and controversial remarks following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis.

Current and former DHS officials described a consistent pattern: Noem rarely accepted responsibility for missteps, instead blaming others for the department’s problems. Her behavior often left staff frustrated—for instance, she made a theatrical entrance to the Trace Adkins song “Hot Mama” during her first appearance as secretary.

At the Sergeant Benevolent Association Major Cities Conference in Nashville, Noem was moments away from speaking when President Trump called to let her know she was dismissed, sources said. She carried on with her speech quietly and later thanked Trump on social media for her new role.

"In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise I developed over the last 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security," she wrote, highlighting her focus on moving forward despite the abrupt departure.

Markwayne Mullin set to lead DHS after Noem’s departure

The exact responsibilities Noem will handle during her final weeks at DHS remain unclear, as the Senate moves toward confirming Markwayne Mullin as her successor.

In an email to DHS staff, Noem announced that her official last day at the department will be March 31. She expressed optimism about her next role and said she looks forward to “continuing to work with you all,” according to a copy obtained by ABC News.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on social media that the administration plans to push Mullin’s confirmation forward quickly, though no specific timeline was given. Mullin only needs a simple majority in the Senate, meaning he could be approved without Democratic support. While his confirmation is expected to be straightforward, the process could still take some time.