Confirmation of Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security
On Saturday, the Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as the new Secretary of Homeland Security. This appointment places the governor of South Dakota in charge of a critical agency that plays a significant role in national security and is essential to President Donald Trump’s efforts to tackle illegal immigration.
The confirmation came after a lengthy session where Republican senators voted in favor of Noem, resulting in a tally of 59-34. This solidifies her position as part of Trump’s national security team.
Prior to Noem’s confirmation, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was confirmed following a dramatic tie-breaking vote on Friday night. He joins Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The Senate is scheduled to vote on Scott Bessent’s nomination for Treasury Secretary on Monday evening.
Noem, a strong supporter of Trump and currently serving her second term as governor, received backing from seven Democratic senators during the confirmation vote. With a Republican majority, there was a collective assurance regarding her ability to effectively lead initiatives related to border security and immigration.
In her remarks following the confirmation, Noem pledged to focus on “securing our southern border and reforming our flawed immigration system.” She also emphasized her commitment to “detecting and preventing terrorism and providing rapid disaster relief to those in need.”
As Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem will be responsible for key agencies including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Citizenship and Immigration Services. Her role will also involve securing air travel, protecting dignitaries, and managing responses to natural disasters, among other critical tasks.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, remarked on Friday that “addressing this crisis and restoring respect for the rule of law is a top priority for President Trump and Republicans. This calls for a strong and determined leader at the department.”
The Democratic perspective on immigration enforcement under Trump is mixed, with some members beginning to accept his tough stance.
Conversely, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer from New York, along with the majority of his colleagues, opposed Noem’s confirmation. He stressed the importance of “bipartisan solutions to the challenges at our border” and criticized Noem, suggesting she is “heading in the wrong direction.”
Trump is expected to introduce significant changes within the department, which may include involving the military in immigration enforcement and restructuring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These alterations will place Noem under immediate scrutiny, particularly following Trump’s recent visits to areas in North Carolina and California affected by disasters.
During her confirmation hearing, Democratic senators questioned Noem about whether she would provide disaster relief to states even if the president instructed her otherwise.
While she did not pledge to defy the president, Noem assured lawmakers, “I will implement programs according to the law and without political bias.”
Throughout Trump’s initial term, the position of Homeland Security Secretary changed six times.
Before becoming governor in 2019, Noem spent eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives and has risen in prominence within the GOP by closely aligning herself with Trump. At one stage, she was even considered a potential running mate.
However, her political image faced challenges last year after she published a book recounting a controversial story about the death of her hunting dog and making an inaccurate claim about meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
As she takes on this new role, Noem is tasked with advancing Trump’s border security priorities. The president’s goal of deporting millions of undocumented immigrants may pose difficulties for Noem, especially considering her background in a rural state where many migrant workers are vital to industries like agriculture and housing.
Thus far, Noem has expressed her commitment to following the president’s directives and has echoed his rhetoric regarding an “invasion” at the southern border.
She also collaborated with other Republican governors to deploy National Guard troops to Texas as part of Operation Lone Star, a controversial initiative aimed at deterring migrants. This decision attracted criticism, particularly after she accepted a $1 million donation from a Tennessee billionaire to help fund the deployment.
In defense of her actions, Noem stated, “I chose to send National Guard troops due to this invasion,” adding that “the situation down there resembles a war zone.”
