Kristi Noem Learns Her Fate — Trump Stunned!!
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem became the fourth of President Donald Trump’s nominees to be confirmed, as the Senate voted on Saturday to approve her as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
The vote, which passed 59–34, saw all Republican senators in attendance supporting the confirmation. With no major obstacles during her confirmation hearing, Noem’s approval was widely expected. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee had earlier approved her nomination by a 13–2 vote, with only two Democrats opposing.
Noem’s confirmation follows the approvals of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, making her the fourth nominee from the Trump administration to secure Senate approval.
As the new head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Noem will lead the agency at a time when the administration has prioritized combating illegal immigration and securing the nation’s borders. Significant steps have already been taken, such as deploying troops to the border, resuming border wall construction, and discontinuing parole programs initiated under the Biden administration.
In alignment with President Trump’s promise of a “historic” crackdown on immigration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched nationwide deportation operations.
Since Trump assumed office, DHS has issued directives to bolster immigration enforcement, including revising parole policies and empowering officials to expedite deportations of newly arrived unauthorized immigrants. These measures have been implemented under directives signed by Acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman.
During her confirmation hearing, Noem highlighted additional DHS responsibilities, such as cybersecurity, disaster response, and counterterrorism, while emphasizing the importance of border security.
“We must be vigilant and proactive and innovative to protect the homeland,” Noem stated. “The challenges in front of us are extremely significant, and we must secure our borders against illegal trafficking and immigration. We must safeguard our critical infrastructure to make sure that we’re protected against cyberattacks, respond to natural disasters, and also terrorism.”
However, she reiterated that securing America’s borders will remain a “top priority.”
“As a nation, we have the right and the responsibility to secure our borders against those who would do us harm,” she said. “And we must create a fair and lawful immigration system that is efficient and effective, and that reflects our values.”
Noem has previously taken a strong stance on immigration. As governor, she deployed the National Guard to assist with border security in Texas and vowed in 2021 not to accept additional migrants under the Biden administration’s policies. Her disaster response experience includes working with federal officials during major flooding in South Dakota.
When asked during her confirmation hearing how she plans to collaborate with Border Czar Tom Homan, who oversees deportation operations and border security, Noem expressed confidence in their working relationship.
“We talk and communicate all the time and work very well together,” she said. “And once we’re in our roles under the new administration, we’ll be collaborating every day. Furthermore, I would argue that if I am in the position, neither the department nor I will be deprived of any authority.”
Even some members of the opposing party have shown support for Trump’s immigration enforcement initiatives.
For instance, Democratic Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey recently voiced approval for the arrests of dangerous individuals regardless of immigration status.
Speaking to reporters, Healey stated, “I wouldn’t describe them as raids, but instead, what it seems to be, and what we expected and what I support, which is the apprehension of criminals in our communities.”
“Whether you’re documented or undocumented, you commit crimes, you’re subject to investigation and prosecution and accountability, and it looks like that is what happened,” she added, as reported by local news outlet Boston 25.