Kristi Noem to step down as U.S. homeland security secretary

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will step down from her position at the end of March. Trump plans to nominate Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin as her successor, a decision requiring U.S. Senate confirmation. Noem will reportedly transition to a role as a special envoy for Latin America. Her tenure was marked by an aggressive immigration crackdown that drew intense bipartisan criticism, particularly following the January deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, identified as Renee Good and Alex Pretti. While Noem initially labeled the pair as domestic terrorists, emerging video evidence contradicted these claims and prompted backlash, leading the administration to shift its enforcement strategy in Minnesota. Congressional hearings in March further pressured Noem, with lawmakers questioning her leadership and a $220 million advertising campaign. Calls for her impeachment from Democrats and criticism from some Republicans ultimately preceded her departure from the Cabinet post.