WASHINGTON

The US Senate voted Monday to confirm Markwayne Mullin as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem.

President Donald Trump's pick was confirmed in a 54-45 vote.

In early March, Trump tapped Senator Mullin to replace Noem, who was facing internal scrutiny following the killings of Americans Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in the state of Minnesota in January by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Democrats had been urging Trump to fire Noem and also signed on to an impeachment resolution against her.