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TRUMP SADDLES UP WITH MULLIN – WHY THE LONG FACE, KRISTI? Cartoon published 03/07/2026 Noem had a rocky ride as DHS Secretary and now she’s getting traded – but hey, at least it’s not to the glue factory! Here’s the roundup of what led to this high-noon switcheroo: It all started when Trump tapped South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for DHS back in January 2025. She was the face of his immigration crackdown – think walls, deportations, and zero tolerance. But boy, did the trail get bumpy. By early March 2026, Noem was facing a bipartisan grilling on Capitol Hill over a slew of scandals: a controversial $220 million ad campaign urging illegals to self-deport (which Trump says he never approved), the shooting deaths of two protesters by immigration officers in Minneapolis, sluggish disaster responses through FEMA, and even a 20-day DHS shutdown where employees worked without pay. Critics from both sides called it a leadership stampede – Democrats screamed “cruelty,” Republicans fumed over execution fails. Pressure mounted, and on March 5, Trump announced the trade: Noem is out as DHS chief effective March 31. She’ll be trotted off to serve as “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas” (a fresh Western Hemisphere security initiative). Not fired, folks – just reassigned to greener pastures. Enter the new bronco: Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Trump’s pick to rein in DHS. This guy’s got the quals to make any steed jealous: A former undefeated professional MMA fighter – talk about someone who can handle a border brawl! (Remember that time he nearly threw down with a union boss during a Senate hearing? Yee-haw!) Built a plumbing empire from the family business he saved at age 20 – no silver spoon here, just hard work and red vans zipping across Oklahoma. Rancher roots and a no-nonsense attitude on immigration, tribal sovereignty, and America First. Oh, and he’s an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation – the first Native American in the Senate in nearly 20 decades, making him a historic advocate for tribal communities. If anyone has the wisdom to secure our frontiers while respecting heritage, it’s this feather-wearing fighter. Trump called him a “MAGA Warrior” who “gets along well with people” (except maybe that Teamsters guy). With Mullin at the helm, expect DHS to run like a well-oiled saddle – tough on threats, smart on strategy.In the end, Trump’s just doing what he does best: horse trading for the win. Noem had her trot, but sometimes you gotta switch mounts mid-race to cross the finish line strong. Sorry Kristi, but as they say in the old, ‘not OK’ corral: Don’t cry over spilled oats! Is Mullin the stallion America needs, or what? Giddy Up! — The GrrrTeam