President-elect Donald Trump is set to nominate South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, a decision confirmed by multiple sources on Tuesday. In his statement about the nomination, Trump praised Noem’s strong stance on border security and highlighted their long-standing professional relationship. He expressed confidence that she will significantly contribute to the mission of enhancing safety across the nation.
Should Noem be confirmed, she will take the lead over crucial federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), among others. Despite lacking extensive direct experience in homeland security, Noem has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s stringent immigration policies and has defended fellow Republican governors against accusations of being too lenient toward migrants.
Noem has drawn attention for her remarks characterizing immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border as an “invasion” and has suggested measures like deploying security personnel to assist in border control. However, her comments have not been without controversy, as evidenced by her ban from the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s reservation following some of her statements.
In previous interviews, Noem has criticized President Biden’s border policies, aligning herself with Trump’s narrative that has linked rising crime rates to immigration issues. She firmly believes in restoring law and order in cities, particularly those governed by Democrats, which she claims are struggling with high violence levels.
Her political journey includes serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019 and as the governor of South Dakota since 2019. Although Noem was initially considered for a potential vice presidential role in the current cycle, her political narrative has faced scrutiny, particularly regarding her past admission of an incident involving her dog.
This nomination comes amidst a series of appointments made by Trump for his expected second term, including other significant roles focused on immigration policy and national security.
As Noem prepares to potentially lead the Department of Homeland Security, her supporters emphasize the importance of her experience as a state governor and her commitment to tough immigration stances, suggesting a unified vision for America’s border control under Trump’s leadership.
This nomination presents an opportunity to revisit and strengthen discussions surrounding national security and immigration policies, aiming for a safer America for all citizens, which remains a pivotal issue within U.S. politics.