Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin will replace Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, President Donald Trump announced Thursday.

In a post on Truth Social, the president wrote Mullin will become the U.S. secretary of homeland security beginning March 31. 

Mullin would have been up for reelection this year and his term would have ended Jan. 3, 2027. 

Mullin told reporters on Capitol Hill this afternoon he learned he would become DHS secretary shortly before the announcement was made.

“My phone call I got from the president was right before the statement went out,” Mullin told reporters as he entered his office.

In a later statement to press on Capitol Hill, Mullin said he was excited to serve in the position, despite rushed interviews moments after the announcement.

“When I go into this position, yes, I’m a Republican, yes, I’m a conservative, but Department of Homeland Security is to keep everybody, … I’m here to enforce the policies that Congress passed,” Mullin told reporters.

In an official statement on X, Mullin wrote he is grateful to be nominated.

Trump praised Mullin in the Truth Social post for his work as senator, citing his tribal affiliations as the only Native American in the U.S. Senate. Mullin is a member of the Cherokee Nation.

The last time an Oklahoman served in a cabinet position occurred during Trump's first presidency when he selected then-Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency in 2017.

According to the National Conference of State Legislators, when a vacancy in the Senate occurs, the governor of the state with the vacancy must hold a special election to fill the seat or the governor can appoint someone to fill the seat until the next general election.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt wrote in a Thursday post on the social platform X that he will be appointing a replacement as Mullin steps into the new role.

“I will be looking to appoint a strong, small government conservative voice to support President Trump and protect Oklahomans’ way of life,” Stitt wrote. 

Trump wrote Noem will become special envoy for a new security initiative Trump called the Shield of the Americas. The administration will announce the initiative in Florida Saturday, Trump wrote.

In a post on X, Noem confirmed her appointment as special envoy and thanked the president.

“The Western Hemisphere is absolutely critical for U.S. security,” Noem wrote. “In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise, I forged over the last 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security.”

Across social media, Oklahoma leaders offered their congratulations to Mullin.

Sen. Janes Lankford wrote in a Thursday X post that he and his family support Mullin.

In an X post, Rep. Tom Cole, U.S. representative for Oklahoma’s 4th congressional district, praised Mullin and said he has been an instrumental leader in the state.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and governor candidate issued a statement Thursday calling Mullin an “excellent pick” for DHS secretary.

“The President knows what Oklahomans know, that Markwayne is exactly the sort of straight-talking, stalwart, and commonsense patriot needed to lead the Department of Homeland Security at this juncture,” Drummond wrote. “I have the utmost confidence in Sen. Mullin and wish him the best upon this extraordinary next chapter. Oklahoma’s loss is the nation’s gain.”

Mullin will be the second Native American to serve on the president’s cabinet in U.S. history, joining former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.

Oklahoma Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin wrote in a Thursday statement on X congratulating Mullin, writing the appointment will have a “unifying impact.”

The announcement comes 19 days into the DHS shutdown, after funding lapsed on Feb. 14, as the U.S. Senate debates funding for the department as pressure mounts to find a funding solution. 

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Anusha Fathepure and Audrey McClour contributed to this reporting.

This story was edited by Macey Thaxton and Madisson Cameron. 

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