President Donald Trump on Thursday fired his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, after mounting criticism over her leadership of the department, including the handling of the administration’s immigration crackdown and disaster response.

Trump said he would nominate Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin in her place and make Noem a “Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.”

What is the Shield of the Americas?

Noem’s role is part of a new security initiative that Trump said would focus on the Western Hemisphere.

The initiative was announced on March 5, coinciding with Noem’s ouster from Homeland Security.

Although there still aren’t many details about Noem’s exact role and responsibilities, the main objective of the Shield of the Americas will be to combat organized crime, dismantle drug cartels and trafficking networks. The Administration is also looking to strengthen the border and coordinate efforts to address illegal immigration in the region.

Noem, speaking in Nashville, confirmed she will attend the first Shield of the Americas summit and that Trump will announce “a big agreement” that will detail “how we’re going to go after cartels and drug trafficking in the entire Western Hemisphere.”

First summit to be held in Doral

Trump is gathering with the leaders of 11 Latin American countries for a “Shield” summit on Saturday at his golf club in Doral, Florida.

The name of the gathering is supposed to reflect Trump’s vision for U.S. national security strategy to put a greater emphasis on the Western Hemisphere, as he looks to leverage U.S. military and intelligence assets unseen in the region since the end of the Cold War.

“Thank you @POTUS Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas,” Noem wrote on X.

She added that she looked forward to working with top administration officials “to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren.”

“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,” Noem wrote.