Senate confirms Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kristi Noem as the new Secretary of Homeland Security, a key position as President Donald Trump plans to tighten immigration enforcement. The confirmation vote, held on Saturday morning, passed with bipartisan support, 59-34, and Noem was sworn in shortly thereafter.

Noem, who served as the Governor of South Dakota since 2019, will now oversee the expansive Homeland Security Department, which includes agencies like Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, FEMA, and the Secret Service. In a statement following her confirmation, Noem emphasized her commitment to securing the southern border and reforming the U.S. immigration system, which she described as broken.

"My primary focus will be on keeping Americans safe and fulfilling President Trump's mandate to secure the border and address immigration issues," Noem said. She also reiterated the administration’s commitment to empowering law enforcement to remove criminal aliens and illegal gangs from the country.

Under Trump’s second term, the administration has implemented aggressive immigration policies, including a national emergency declaration at the southern border and efforts to end birthright citizenship, which have faced legal challenges.

During her confirmation, Noem also addressed other key concerns, including disaster relief and domestic terrorism. She assured lawmakers that disaster relief under her leadership would remain politically neutral and highlighted the increasing threat of homegrown terrorism.

Noem gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for her opposition to mask mandates and social distancing measures. She was even considered a potential vice-presidential candidate during Trump’s re-election bid. However, she faced criticism over a controversial incident where she admitted to shooting a family dog, an action she defended as necessary in certain situations.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry shared photos of Noem's swearing-in ceremony, which was officiated by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, while Vice President Mike Pence was absent due to scheduling conflicts.