President Donald Trump has reportedly floated the name of Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as a potential replacement for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as questions swirl about her future in the administration.
According to reports published Thursday, Trump raised Mullin’s name during private conversations with Republican allies while weighing whether to remove Noem from her post following a contentious week on Capitol Hill.
The reports come after a tense round of congressional testimony by Noem that allegedly angered the president and prompted him to begin reaching out to key Republican lawmakers for advice on whether a leadership change at the Department of Homeland Security might be necessary. Punchbowl News first reported that Trump had been contacting GOP allies as he considered the possibility of replacing the cabinet official.
Just hours later, The New Republic reported an additional detail from those conversations, saying Trump repeatedly mentioned Mullin as someone who could potentially step into the role if Noem were to be dismissed.
Despite the speculation, Mullin himself said he has not had any conversations with the president about a possible shake-up.
Speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill Wednesday, the Oklahoma senator denied having any discussions with the White House about the matter.
“I haven’t talked to the president,” Mullin said when asked about the reports. He added that he had not discussed the hearing that had drawn the president’s attention.
“I haven’t talked to him about the hearing at all, I can’t help you there, I’m sorry,” the Republican told reporters.
The controversy surrounding Noem intensified following her exchange with Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing earlier in the week. During that back-and-forth, Noem suggested under oath that Trump had approved a $220 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign for the Department of Homeland Security.
The comments quickly drew scrutiny, particularly as lawmakers pressed for details about how the contract for the campaign was awarded.
Questions have also been raised about the contracting process itself, including reports that the advertising effort involved a no-bid contract as well as subcontracting ties to individuals considered political allies of Noem.
The exchange with Kennedy, combined with the broader questions about the ad campaign, reportedly fueled Trump’s frustration and sparked internal discussions about whether the department’s leadership should change.
Still, despite the growing speculation and reports of private conversations among Republican leaders, no formal decision has been announced regarding Noem’s position in the administration.
For now, the future of the Homeland Security secretary remains uncertain as the White House weighs its next steps. While Mullin’s name has reportedly surfaced during those internal discussions, the Oklahoma senator has publicly denied any involvement in talks about taking over the role.
As of now, the administration has not confirmed any plans to replace Noem, leaving open the question of whether the reported tensions will lead to a shake-up at one of the government’s most critical agencies.
