The Senate on Saturday confirmed South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R) as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The 59-34 vote marked a relatively smooth confirmation process compared to other nominees facing heightened scrutiny.
Noem will lead one of the largest federal agencies, tasked with overseeing key national security issues, including border security and immigration enforcement. Her appointment aligns with the Trump administration that has prioritized stricter immigration measures since its inception.
During his first week in office, President Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at tightening immigration laws. These included measures to militarize the southern border, restrict asylum pathways, suspend refugee admissions, and challenge birthright citizenship for children born to non-citizens in the U.S. Some of these policies have already faced legal challenges.
Noem, a four-term congresswoman with limited national security experience, gained prominence for her tough stance on border issues as governor, including deploying the South Dakota National Guard to the southern border. She is expected to work closely with Tom Homan.
Her confirmation represents a significant political win, solidifying her standing in conservative circles after speculation about her potential role as Trump’s running mate cooled amid controversy surrounding her memoir, in which she recounted shooting an untrainable dog.
Despite the contentious nature of immigration policy, Noem garnered bipartisan support for her nomination.
“Kristi brings experience and commitment to her new role,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on the Senate floor. “The Department of Homeland Security faces major challenges, especially at our southern border, where record-breaking illegal immigration has created significant security concerns. I believe Kristi has what it takes to tackle this crisis and restore respect for the rule of law.”
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, expressed cautious support for Noem, citing her willingness to address homeland security issues on a bipartisan basis.
“During her confirmation hearing, I pressed Governor Noem to set aside partisan ideologies and focus on facts when addressing threats to our communities — whether it’s securing our borders, combating terrorism, or responding to natural disasters,” Peters said in a statement. “Her openness to bipartisan collaboration was key to my decision to support her nomination.”
Noem’s responsibilities will extend beyond immigration. As DHS Secretary, she will oversee several critical agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Coast Guard, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
DHS also manages the Secret Service, which has faced scrutiny following two recent assassination attempts on President Trump’s life, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has been under pressure following their incompetence to help to victims of back-to-back natural disasters.
This confirmation adds to a series of national security appointments quickly approved in Trump’s first week. The Senate unanimously confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State before contentious debates led to the confirmations of John Ratcliffe as CIA Director and Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.