President Donald Trump has tapped a United States Senator from the Cherokee Nation to lead the Department of Homeland Security, after a sudden announcement that ousted Secretary Kristi Noem by March 31.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, would be the second Native American to lead a federal department as secretary if approved by the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate. Deb Haaland from Laguna Pueblo was the first Native American U.S. cabinet member, serving as Secretary for the U.S. Department of the Interior under President Joe Biden.
Speaking to reporters outside the Capitol, Mullin told reporters he was “suprised, but not completely surprised” that he was chosen by the president for the DHS position.
“I wasn’t expecting this call, but I’m excited,” Mullin said. “My focus will be to keep the country secure.”
Trump made the announcement via a Truth Social post Thursday afternoon.
“A MAGA Warrior, and former undefeated professional MMA fighter, Markwayne truly gets along well with people, and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda,” Trump wrote. “As the only Native American in the Senate, Markwayne is a fantastic advocate for our incredible Tribal Communities.”
Mullin – the only current Native American member of the Senate – previously served in the House of Representatives as an Oklahoma Republican from 2013 to 2023. He currently serves on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
Trump said that Noem will exit March 31 to serve in a new role as “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” a program that his administration has not yet detailed outside of building on a policy of reasserting the United States’ presence in the Western Hemisphere.
Noem’s tenure as Secretary was marked by the rapid growth and deployment of Immigration Customs and Enforcement, or ICE. While the agency focused primarily on deportations of undocumented immigrants – including a recent hundreds-strong push into Minneapolis – Indian Country did not go unaffected.
Amid a rash of high-profile clashes with ICE agents resulting in multiple deaths, the department also questioned and sometimes detained Native American citizens. Tribal Business News, pointed to high profile detention center deals through tribally-owned contractors that fell apart due to swift backlash from the tribes in question.
Mullin’s appointment was praised by Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., who wrote, “It is deeply encouraging to have someone with a keen understanding of federal Indian policy, law and justice elevated to such a critical leadership role within a powerful federal agency.”
Levi Rickert and Shaun Griswold contributed to this article.
