Kristi Noem, the former Governor of South Dakota, was sworn in as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on January 25, 2025.
Her confirmation by the U.S. Senate was by a vote of 59 to 34, making her the 8th Secretary of DHS.
This appointment positions her to oversee President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, including plans for mass deportations and border security enhancements.
Noem’s confirmation followed a contentious period where she was criticized for various reasons, including her handling of the COVID-19 response and personal controversies, such as the incident she detailed in her book about killing her family dog.
Despite these criticisms, she was supported by Trump for her strong stance on border security, having previously deployed South Dakota National Guard troops to assist Texas with border control.
Her role will involve managing a department responsible for immigration enforcement, disaster response, cybersecurity, and protecting critical infrastructure, among other duties.
Her appointment has stirred debate, with some Democrats and critics expressing concerns over her understanding of broader national security issues beyond immigration.
In her new position, Kristi Noem has pledged to work closely with Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, to secure the border and has emphasized the importance of empowering law enforcement and ensuring safety from terrorism and cyber threats.
Her confirmation has been seen by supporters as a commitment to Trump’s agenda of stringent border control and immigration reform, while critics worry about the implications for civil liberties and the department’s other responsibilities.
Notes:
On November 14, 2016, Noem announced that she would run for governor of South Dakota in 2018 rather than seek reelection to Congress.
Noem was sworn in as governor of South Dakota on January 5, 2019, the first woman in that office in the state.
On November 12, 2021, Noem announced that she was running for reelection as governor.
Despite predictions of a competitive race, Noem flipped 17 counties that had previously voted Democratic and set a record for the most votes received by a candidate for governor in South Dakota.
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