(WEAA) —President Trump has replaced Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin.
The announcement came after Noem faced sharp criticism from both parties during two days of congressional hearings.
Trump said Noem will serve as Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, a new Western Hemisphere security initiative. She is the first Cabinet secretary to leave during Trump's second term.
Maryland Congressman Kweisi Mfume responded to the firing, saying Noem's tenure was marked by the deaths of American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti, communities terrorized by masked unidentified officers, and billions in disaster relief withheld from families in need.
Mfume, who supported impeachment efforts against Noem, called her one of the most cruel and lawless Cabinet officials in modern history.
He added that her replacement, Senator Mullin, spent the past year publicly supporting the same abuses that defined her time in office.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore posted a video saying, "Good riddance, Kristi Noem. And to the next Secretary, let’s work together to protect and support all Marylanders."
