Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Mar 24: The United States Senate has approved the nomination of Markwayne Mullin as the new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), replacing Kristi Noem during a period of continued funding uncertainty for the agency.
Mullin, 48, secured confirmation with a 54–45 vote. A member of the Senate since 2023 and previously a decade-long representative from Oklahoma in the House, he received backing across party lines, with one Republican opposing and two Democrats supporting his appointment.
The nomination, put forward by Donald Trump on March 5, marks the first Cabinet reshuffle of his second term. It comes amid mounting bipartisan criticism of Noem’s tenure.
Noem had faced increasing scrutiny following a January incident in Minneapolis, where federal law enforcement officers fatally shot two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The episode intensified concerns, particularly among Democrats, over immigration enforcement practices.
Further criticism arose during recent congressional hearings, where lawmakers from both parties questioned Noem over several issues, including a controversial $200 million public outreach campaign.
The leadership change comes against the backdrop of a broader political standoff over immigration policy and DHS funding. Disagreements between Republicans and Democrats led to a temporary partial shutdown earlier this year after funding for DHS was excluded from a wider government spending bill.
Although Congress later approved funding for most federal agencies, DHS has been operating under a short-term extension, leaving key agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, United States Coast Guard, and Federal Emergency Management Agency facing operational strain.
Efforts to reach a long-term agreement have so far stalled, with the Senate rejecting a DHS funding proposal for the fifth time last week. The deadlock underscores ongoing divisions in Congress over immigration enforcement and federal spending, even as the department continues to function under constrained resources.