WASHINGTON — The Senate has officially approved Kristi Noem as the new homeland security secretary, enhancing the oversight of critical national security functions at a time when President Donald Trump aims to strengthen measures against illegal immigration. With a decisive 59-34 vote, Republican senators pushed through the nomination on Saturday, underscoring Noem’s significant role in shaping the future of the department.
Noem, who has held the governor’s office in South Dakota for two terms, received some bipartisan support, garnering votes from seven Democrats despite Republican domination in the Senate. Her confirmation comes just after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s appointment was also finalized through a tie-breaking vote, joining other prominent figures such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The Senate is expected to cast a vote on Scott Bessent’s treasury secretary confirmation on Monday.
Immediately following her confirmation, Noem expressed her intent to prioritize border security and reform immigration policies. She stated her commitment to “secure our southern border and fix our broken immigration system” and to enhance efforts to thwart terror threats while ensuring rapid aid in times of disaster for Americans facing hardship.
Noem was sworn into her position by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, whose home was the venue instead of a planned ceremony with Vice President JD Vance, which was canceled due to her delayed arrival. In her new role, Noem will oversee crucial agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Citizenship and Immigration Services, as well as responsibilities that extend to securing air travel and responding to natural disasters.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune from South Dakota emphasized the necessity of strong leadership in the department, aligning it with the Republican agenda focused on restoring respect for law and order in relation to immigration issues. However, there remains a divide among Democrats regarding how to approach these topics, with varying levels of support for Trump’s stringent practices.
Despite a few Democrats crossing party lines to vote in favor of Noem, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer pointed out that a majority were opposed, expressing the need for bipartisan solutions to tackle border issues rather than endorsing a more rigid enforcement stance as proposed by Noem.
President Trump is reportedly considering significant changes within the Department of Homeland Security, which could influence the structure and approach to immigration enforcement. This places Noem in a critical position to implement these changes effectively following recent presidential visits to disaster-affected areas in North Carolina and California.
During her fulfillment hearing with the Senate, Noem faced scrutiny from Democratic senators regarding her commitment to disaster aid distribution, especially under potential pressure from the president to withhold assistance. She reiterated her intent to follow the law and pledged to administer programs without political bias.
Having previously held South Dakota’s sole U.S. House seat for eight years before her gubernatorial term, Noem has built her political identity closely aligned with Trump, even being mentioned at one point as a possible running mate. Nevertheless, her reputation faced scrutiny following the publication of a controversial book where she recounted an incident involving her hunting dog, along with a misrepresentation about meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Post-confirmation, Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden took over as governor of South Dakota, being elected alongside Noem in 2018. As homeland security secretary, Noem must now address one of Trump’s key objectives: enhancing border security. The challenges could be significant, especially in South Dakota, where numerous migrants are integral to sectors that rely heavily on labor, raising inherent tensions with the president’s objective of mass deportations.
Noem has so far committed to executing the president’s agenda and mirrored his rhetoric regarding a perceived “invasion” at the southern border with Mexico. She has joined other Republican governors in dispatching National Guard members to Texas as part of Operation Lone Star, a move she justified by claiming a response to the “invasion” and labeling the situation as akin to a “war zone,” a stance that has drawn criticism due to her acceptance of outside funding for the deployment.
