(Washington, DC) — Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is out as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. In a post on social media, President Trump says he is replacing Noem with U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma and moving Noem to the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.
Noem thanked the President for the appointment in social media and touted her accomplishments with DHS as “historic.” Attorney General Marty Jackley said he wishes Noem the best. Governor Larry Rhoden said in a post he thanked Noem, “for everything she’s done to keep South Dakota safe.”
In related news, Senate Democrats have blocked a Department of Homeland Security funding bill. All but one Democrat voted against the bill on Thursday, with the final tally being 51 to 45. This means the partial government shutdown of DHS will continue as Democrats remain locked in a stalemate with the White House over funding the department. The party is holding out for reforms after the death of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in ICE-involved shootings. One of those reforms came, after Noem was removed from her position as DHS Secretary Thursday.
