Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after rumblings that she was skating on thin ice. The president is nominating Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin (Okla.) to replace her.
Talks about Noem's future had been happening for 'a while': That's according to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports.
Trump's frustration with Noem had apparently been building for quite some time. He considered firing her after the fatal shootings of two American protesters in Minneapolis in January but didn't want to give into Democrats' demands, sources told Bolton.
The straw that broke the camel's back: Trump was not pleased with Noem's claim this week that he had personally approved a controversial $220 million DHS advertising campaign to promote her job.
The president told NBC's Garrett Haake that he "wasn't thrilled about it."
Republican senators told Bolton that was the final straw. It's controversial because DHS skipped the normal competitive bidding process and instead gave the job to a firm with ties to Noem's political operation. Read more: 'How Kristi Noem finally lost Trump's trust'
Good read from The New York Times: 'Bulletproof Vests and Rolex Watches: The Rise and Fall of Kristi Noem'
OK, so Mullin…
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R) is a first-term senator from Oklahoma. Before that, he served as a House lawmaker for a decade. He has a background in construction and was a mixed martial arts fighter. He's a loyal defender of the president.
If you're a longtime reader of The Hill's 12:30 Report, you might remember Mullin famously posted influencer-style behind-the-scenes tours of Capitol Hill. Like 🎥 this recent one.
How Mullin found out: Mullin abruptly left a Senate GOP lunch, leaving a "full plate of food" and his jacket, according to NBC News. That's when Trump apparently called him to offer him the job. Mullin says he wasn't expecting the call. Read more
Tidbit about Mullin: He often carries around a pink bouncy ball as a fidget toy of sorts.
The photo of the week: Reuters's Kylie Cooper 📸captured a shot of Noem next to an exit sign.
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