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The Senate on Saturday approved the nomination of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), putting her at the center of an administration heavily focused on immigration.
The 59-34 vote to confirm Noem led a relatively smooth process, even as other nominees face more intense scrutiny.
Noem will lead one of the government’s most expansive agencies and one of particular importance in a Trump administration bent on reducing immigration.
During his first week in office, President Trump signed several executive orders on immigration, taking steps to militarize the border and reduce many legal avenues to immigrate to the United States.
This included suspending refugee admissions and working to limit asylum – another avenue for those fleeing danger and persecution.
It also sought to end birthright citizenship for children not born to US citizens. While the order would apply to children of those present illegally, it could also affect those born to nonimmigrant visas, such as those legally in the United States on work visas. It has already been challenged in court.
The nomination is a major win for Noem, a four-term congresswoman with little national security experience but who had been vocal on border issues as governor, sending the South Dakota National Guard to the southern border. She is slated to work closely with Tom Homan, whom Trump tapped as border czar.
He also solidifies his position in Maga’s circles after talk about his performance as a potential running mate for Trump fell through amid the launch of his book, in which he wrote about shooting a young dog he described as unstable. .
Noem won support from both sides of the aisle despite the role he will play in a controversial policy area.
“Kristi brings experience and commitment to her new role,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (Rs.D.) said on the Senate floor Friday. “One of the greatest challenges facing the Department of Homeland Security right now is securing our nation’s border. Four years of record-breaking illegal immigration at our southern border have left our country vulnerable to a whole host of of security concerns.”
“Fixing this crisis and restoring respect for the rule of law is a top priority for President Trump and Republicans, and will require decisive and committed leadership at the Department of Homeland Security,” Thune continued. “I think Kristi has what it takes to undertake this task.”
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the top Democrat on the Senate and Government Affairs Committee, said he was willing to back Noem because of his commitment to handling issues in a bipartisan manner.
“During his confirmation hearing, I pressed Governor Noem to put aside partisan ideologies and stick to the facts when it comes to the threats our communities face, whether we’re talking about securing our borders, foreign terrorism and domestic, or even more devastating. Disasters, “he said in a statement when Noem came forward from the committee.
“Given his openness to working bipartisanly to address these and other threats to our national security, I voted to advance his nomination out of committee and send it to the Senate floor for consideration.” .
The South Dakota governor was on track for a bipartisan confirmation after the caucus approved her in a 13-2 vote Monday.
Noem’s role will not only be limited to immigration. He will also oversee the many national security functions DHS oversees, including the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard and DHS’s Office of Intelligence Analysis.
DHS also oversees the Secret Service, which has come under increased scrutiny after two attempts on Trump’s life.
The department also plays a key role in responding to cyber attacks through the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Trump has also recently talked about siphoning off another key DHS agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has come under fire as it has responded to a series of back-to-back natural disasters.
The confirmation marks the fourth national security nominee the Senate has given a green light in Trump’s first week. The upper house quickly and unanimously approved Marco Rubio to lead the State Department before Democrats forced Republicans to run out the clock to confirm John Ratcliffe and Pete Hegseth to lead the CIA and the Pentagon, respectively.
