Noem’s appointment comes as Trump is positioning immigration hardliners Stephen Miller and Tom Homan for senior roles within the administration, underscoring his intent to fulfill his immigration-related promises. By selecting Noem, Trump ensures a dedicated ally will lead the department, which is central to his domestic policy.
During Trump’s previous administration, the Department of Homeland Security experienced significant instability, with five different leaders, only two of whom received Senate confirmation. The agency, with its $60 billion budget and hundreds of thousands of employees, oversees key responsibilities, including US Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, FEMA, and the US Secret Service.
Though Noem does not represent a border state, she has consistently supported strict immigration policies. In her 2010 congressional campaign, she backed Senate Republicans’ attempt to block an Obama-era lawsuit against Arizona’s immigration law and advocated for consequences for Democratic-led sanctuary cities that resisted federal immigration directives.
As governor, Noem also had disputes with indigenous tribes in South Dakota, including remarks that tribes were more focused on drug cartel benefits than on protecting their communities. This led to her being banned from certain tribal lands, a notable aspect given that DHS deals with tribal matters as part of its duties. Now, Noem will oversee the extensive agency with a focus on Trump’s agenda for border security and immigration reform.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as his nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security, as confirmed by two sources familiar with the decision.
Noem’s appointment comes as Trump is positioning immigration hardliners Stephen Miller and Tom Homan for senior roles within the administration, underscoring his intent to fulfill his immigration-related promises. By selecting Noem, Trump ensures a dedicated ally will lead the department, which is central to his domestic policy.
During Trump’s previous administration, the Department of Homeland Security experienced significant instability, with five different leaders, only two of whom received Senate confirmation. The agency, with its $60 billion budget and hundreds of thousands of employees, oversees key responsibilities, including US Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, FEMA, and the US Secret Service.
Though Noem does not represent a border state, she has consistently supported strict immigration policies. In her 2010 congressional campaign, she backed Senate Republicans’ attempt to block an Obama-era lawsuit against Arizona’s immigration law and advocated for consequences for Democratic-led sanctuary cities that resisted federal immigration directives.
As governor, Noem also had disputes with indigenous tribes in South Dakota, including remarks that tribes were more focused on drug cartel benefits than on protecting their communities. This led to her being banned from certain tribal lands, a notable aspect given that DHS deals with tribal matters as part of its duties. Now, Noem will oversee the extensive agency with a focus on Trump’s agenda for border security and immigration reform.
