South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, selected by Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security, will appear before senators on Friday for her confirmation hearing. This will be her opportunity to present her vision for the department, which plays a critical role in immigration enforcement and border security.
Noem, who served two terms as governor and was previously a U.S. congresswoman, was chosen to head the agency responsible for overseeing significant immigration actions, such as mass deportations and stricter border control measures. The agencies under her potential leadership include U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Citizenship and Immigration Services. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security is tasked with ensuring airline security, protecting prominent figures, responding to natural disasters, and more.
Kristi Noem would succeed Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Mayorkas faced intense criticism from Republicans over the surge in migrant crossings at the southern border, which led to his impeachment in early 2024.
Noem would be stepping into a high-pressure role, one that saw significant turnover during the first Trump administration, with six different people holding the position of Homeland Security Secretary over four years.
Currently, she appears to have strong support from GOP senators, who are key to her confirmation.
Senator Rand Paul, the Republican chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, where Noem will testify, expressed confidence in a smooth hearing. “I’m not aware of any specific complaints from Democrats about Kristi Noem,” Paul said. “I think there’s a good chance she’ll even receive some Democrat support.”
However, Democrats are expected to raise questions about Noem’s qualifications to lead a department critical to the nation’s security.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut on the committee, expressed significant concerns about Noem’s ability to lead the Department of Homeland Security, questioning her qualifications to manage such a critical agency that impacts national security.
In recent years, Noem became a regular figure in Trump’s circle and was even considered as a potential running mate. After becoming governor, she closely collaborated with Corey Lewandowski, Trump’s 2016 campaign manager. She gained national attention during the pandemic for resisting many government measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, which boosted her standing within conservative circles.
Noem has strongly supported Trump’s hardline stance on immigration, describing the situation at the southern border as an “invasion” and accusing the previous administration of weakening border security and failing to enforce laws.
The South Dakota governor also joined other Republican governors in sending troops to Texas as part of Operation Lone Star, a measure aimed at deterring migrants. Her decision to fund much of the deployment through a $1 million donation from a Tennessee billionaire, known for his contributions to Republican causes, drew significant criticism.