Trump Selects Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary
First on CNN: President-elect Donald Trump has chosen South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to sources familiar with the decision.
Key Appointment in Trump’s Immigration Policy Team
Noem’s selection aligns with Trump’s commitment to prioritize immigration reform and enforcement, a major pillar of his domestic policy. Two well-known immigration hardliners, Stephen Miller and Tom Homan, are also expected to join DHS in senior positions, signaling that Trump intends to push forward with his tough stance on immigration.
By appointing Noem—a loyal supporter of Trump’s policies—Trump ensures that a trusted ally will helm DHS, an agency crucial to his administration’s objectives.
Turbulent History at DHS
During Trump’s first term, DHS experienced considerable upheaval, with five different leaders, only two of whom were confirmed by the Senate. The department, which operates with a budget of $60 billion and employs hundreds of thousands of staff, oversees a wide range of responsibilities, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Secret Service.
Noem’s Background on Immigration and Tribal Issues
Though Noem hails from a non-border state, she has consistently supported strict immigration policies. As a Congressional candidate in 2010, she backed Senate Republicans in their bid to block an Obama-era lawsuit challenging Arizona’s stringent immigration laws. She has also advocated penalizing Democratic-led “sanctuary cities” that protect undocumented immigrants by limiting cooperation with federal agencies.
As Governor, Noem faced controversy over comments directed at indigenous tribes in South Dakota, alleging they were more focused on drug cartel profits than on their communities’ well-being. Her remarks led to her being banned from some tribal lands. If confirmed, Noem’s role as DHS Secretary would involve overseeing departments that regularly engage in tribal affairs.
Noem’s Loyalty to Trump
Since taking office as governor in 2019, Noem has modeled her political approach after Trump’s, often aligning with his policies. She opposed COVID-19 safety mandates, including mask requirements and closures, and was vocal in her defense of gun rights, once joking at an NRA event that her 2-year-old grandchild owns multiple firearms. Noem also famously gifted Trump a Mount Rushmore replica featuring his likeness among the American presidents.
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Trump has praised Noem, calling her a “terrific person.” While she was initially considered a top choice for his vice-presidential pick in the 2024 election, she eventually fell off the shortlist. In a subsequent memoir, No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward, Noem revealed a controversial story in which she euthanized her family’s 14-month-old hunting dog. She explained that the story was meant to illustrate her ability to make tough decisions when necessary.
Closing Weeks of the Campaign and Continued Alignment with Trump
In the final stages of the 2024 campaign, Noem was actively involved in strategy discussions with Trump’s team, even questioning the findings of campaign analysts about the race’s status. She also took on the role of moderator at an October town hall event where Trump spent over 30 minutes swaying to music, creating a memorable moment on the campaign trail.
Noem’s appointment as Homeland Security Secretary underscores Trump’s dedication to reshaping the agency with officials who share his immigration vision and commitment to national security.
