# Trump says he’s replacing Homeland Security Secretary Noem with GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [March 5, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234 "2026-03-05T19:03:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/1 "2026-03-05T19:03:02Z")
Link here > **[Trump says he's replacing Homeland Security Secretary Noem with GOP Sen....](https://apnews.com/article/trump-homeland-security-noem-mullin-38c583b3cef97b4ef60d84b8f8b5961a)** > > President Donald Trump says he’s replacing his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and will nominate in her place Oklahoma Republican Sen. > President Donald Trump said he’s replacing his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and will nominate in her place Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin. > Trump made the announcement on social media on Thursday, two days after Noem faced a grilling on Capitol Hill from GOP members as well as Democrats. > Trump says he’ll make Noem a “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” a new security initiative that he said would focus on the Western Hemisphere. This is his first cabinet replacement in his second term which is pretty impressive given the last one ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/2 "2026-03-05T19:04:34Z")
Good that Noem is gone, but Mullin is one of the dumbest senators in Washington, so I’m not sure how much of an improvement this is. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/3 "2026-03-05T19:09:32Z")
I came here to call Mullen one of the biggest idiots in the Senate if not all of Washington. He’s been continually referring to the war in Iraq. Nevertheless, he’s a Trump bootlicker which seems to be all that counts. Nominating a Senator when the Republicans have such a slim majority seems to be a risky move for the future, which implies … Trump is not thinking about the future? Trump thinks two seats are enough? Trump thinks he’s going to be dictator soon? Baffling. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/4 "2026-03-05T19:09:35Z")
I look forward to seeing how many Dems weakly grandstand before rubberstamping the nom. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/5 "2026-03-05T19:10:23Z")
CNN is saying that Mullen has good relationships with Democrats. How that is possible is unfathomable and sad. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/6 "2026-03-05T19:11:24Z")
It’s entirely fathomable if one remembers that Washington Democrats are largely collegial morons. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/7 "2026-03-05T19:14:13Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Nominating a Senator when the Republicans have such a slim majority seems to be a risky move for the future, which implies … Trump is not thinking about the future? Trump thinks two seats are enough? Trump thinks he’s going to be dictator soon? Baffling. Not really. In OK, the Governor names a replacement (must be of the same party) and then schedules a special election. Mullin got in that way when Inhofe died. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/8 "2026-03-05T19:21:09Z")
**Moderating:** > [@Cervaise](#): > > I look forward to seeing how many Dems weakly grandstand before rubberstamping the nom. This was okay, strongly worded but okay. Concerns about the new Secretary getting a pass is on topic. > [@Cervaise](#): > > It’s entirely fathomable if one remembers that Washington Democrats are largely collegial morons. This one is pushing it - it’s on the fast track for an off-topic rant. No warning, and as I said, we haven’t gone full rant yet, but I’m asking you to stop it now especially when it’s in posts # 6 and 8 to a brand new thread on a developing issue. And yes, I’m being more pro-active than usual _because_ they’re so early in the thread - figured there’d be a half dozen similar responses by the next time I checked. Barely a note, just a suggestion to dial it back so we can have a productive conversation. Alternately, feel free to create a parallel Pit thread. > **How to Reply as a linked Topic** > > Click Reply, in the upper left corner of the reply window is the reply type button, _looks like a curving arrow point to the right_. > > Choose **Reply as linked topic** and it starts a new thread. As an example, you can choose GD, IMHO or The Pit for it. > > That is actually the best method. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/9 "2026-03-05T19:26:09Z")
Markwayne seemed to be frickin everywhere on the television over the past week or so. Came across as an absolute clueless dolt, so I guess he passed the audition. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/10 "2026-03-05T19:29:32Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Not really. In OK, the Governor names a replacement (must be of the same party) and then schedules a special election. Mullin got in that way when Inhofe died. Correction. Inhofe resigned for health reasons (and then later died). ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/11 "2026-03-05T19:30:36Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > > [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > > > Nominating a Senator when the Republicans have such a slim majority seems to be a risky move for the future, which implies … Trump is not thinking about the future? Trump thinks two seats are enough? Trump thinks he’s going to be dictator soon? Baffling. > > Not really. In OK, the Governor names a replacement (must be of the same party) and then schedules a special election. Mullin got in that way when Inhofe died. And Oklahoma might be the least likely state to ever vote democrat. 67% voted for Trump and he didn’t lose one county. Mullin will be replaced by a Republican appointee and whoever wins the special election will be a Republican. I’m sure Trump didn’t know this but someone near him did. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/12 "2026-03-05T19:34:30Z")
In addition, unless the Governor appoints a caretaker and lets the seat be open which is unlikely, whomever he chooses will almost certainly be the new Senator and will be from the hard Right. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/13 "2026-03-05T19:38:02Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Nominating a Senator when the Republicans have such a slim majority seems to be a risky move for the future, which implies … Trump is not thinking about the future? Trump thinks two seats are enough? Trump thinks he’s going to be dictator soon? Baffling. Eh, it’s Oklahoma. The (Republican) governor will appoint a replacement, and given that Mullin was up for reelection this year anyway, it won’t even shorten his term by that much. The only difference it will make is that the election this year will either proceed without an incumbent on the ballot, or with an appointed one who has been in office for only a few months, but given that Oklahoma isn’t even close to being a swing state, it’s a safe R seat unless something very bizarre and unexpected happens. Granted, something very bizarre and unexpected _did_ happen after Trump appointed an Alabama senator to his first-term Cabinet, but Oklahoma is several shades redder than _that_. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/14 "2026-03-05T20:00:16Z")
Great news, guys! Our new Secretary of Homeland Security has an associates degree in construction and…yeah, that’s it. Right when things are about to hit the fan, we’ll have nothing but the most qualified individuals to keep our homeland safe and sound! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/15 "2026-03-05T20:06:16Z")
I don’t suppose there is any chance that Noem will be required to pay back all the money she has stolen from taxpayers. Mullen should probably replace the sheets in the private jet. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/16 "2026-03-05T20:07:25Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > Eh, it’s Oklahoma. The (Republican) governor will appoint a replacement, and given that Mullin was up for reelection this year anyway, it won’t even shorten his term by that much. This also illustrates a key difference between how replacements are appointed in the Senate, versus the House. In 46 states (and Oklahoma is one of them), the Governor can appoint a temporary Senator until a replacement is formally elected (and state legislatures have some leeway in how they schedule those). In the House, a vacancy can only be filled via a special election, which means that any House vacancy will be an empty seat for at least a few months. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/17 "2026-03-05T20:13:07Z")
Mullin on learning of his appointment; “Pretty neat.” > **[Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)](https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mgdktmkxhs2h)** > > Markwayne Mullin just spoke to reporters: "I'm super excited about it. Humbling. We're super excited about the opportunity. Little kid from West Oklahoma gets to serve in the president's cabinet. That's pretty neat." ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/18 "2026-03-05T20:32:50Z")
Sec. Billybob Mullet 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/19 "2026-03-05T20:44:59Z")
Three good things about Mullen: He is Native American. He helped defend the Capitol during the January 6 attempted insurrection. He isnt Noem. ---
**Author:** ![Win\_Place\_Show](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/win_place_show/32/13469_2.png) [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234/20 "2026-03-05T21:16:46Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > He helped defend the Capitol during the January 6 attempted insurrection. Someone else will need to figure out how to post the jpg of him cowering inside the Capitol during the insurrection - I’ve had hell in the past trying to figure out how to post a picture, so I gave up and moved on. > **[The Problem With Jon Stewart | Meet the new head of DHS | Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/2593621180772599/permalink/3940826909385346/?rdid=ERfNRlJ8u3UvBNBg&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fp%2F18KLHgcjDX%2F)** > > Meet the new head of DHS. Do you feel safe? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-he-s-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/1028234.md?page=2)