WASHINGTON — South Dakota’s Governor Kristi Noem faced a Senate confirmation hearing this past Friday for the role of leading the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a position chosen by Donald Trump, focused on his agenda aimed at addressing illegal immigration. Noem, who has served two terms as governor and was previously a U.S. congresswoman, has been nominated to replace Alejandro Mayorkas, the existing secretary, who was impeached by Republicans earlier in 2024 due to discontent over the rising number of migrants at the southern border.
During her testimony, Noem committed to a complete overhaul of Mayorkas’ policies, indicating her determination to adhere to Trump’s immigration strategies. She expressed her intention to terminate CBP One, a mobile application the Biden administration has utilized for managing asylum-seekers. In addition, Noem pledged to limit the use of humanitarian parole, restrict temporary immigration protections for individuals from turmoil-stricken nations, and reinstate the policy requiring asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while awaiting their hearings in the U.S. immigration courts.
Noem emphasized that her primary focus upon taking office would be the deportation of migrants with criminal histories, subsequently addressing those who have received final deportation orders. The agencies that Noem would oversee include Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). DHS also encompasses responsibilities extending beyond immigration, such as securing air travel, protecting dignitaries, and responding to natural disasters.
When questioned about her nomination, Noem acknowledged it surprised many, but she asserted that she sought the position due to its critical importance in fulfilling the president’s top priority. She stated that it was vital for the secretary to be committed to executing Trump’s promises to the American populace, ensuring community safety and national security.
Noem seems to have garnered solid support from GOP senators essential for her confirmation, with Senator Rand Paul expressing his expectation for her to guide an agency “that has lost its way.” Her agricultural upbringing and experience governing a rural state were cited by supporters as vital assets for implementing Trump’s immigration plans. However, some Democrats raised doubts regarding her qualifications to manage such a pivotal department.
Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut voiced significant concerns about her management capabilities regarding national security. He pressed Noem to clarify whether she would resist any presidential orders that could politically influence disaster relief funding for various states. Although she did not explicitly state her intent to defy Trump, Noem declared her commitment to uphold programs in accordance with the law, ensuring equal access to disaster assistance for every American.
Drawing from her experience as a state governor in managing disaster responses, Noem underscored the importance of ensuring that no community is neglected and that essential services are reinstated promptly. Her vision includes enhancing communication within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and presenting structured action plans following disasters, while barring the continuation of work-from-home arrangements for FEMA staff.
Discussion during the hearing also touched on the contentious future of the nation’s cybersecurity agency, drawing attention to Republican concerns that it has deviated from its fundamental mission. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which was established in 2018 under Trump’s presidency, has faced criticism from conservatives, leading to calls for either its dissolution or a significant reduction of its electoral duties which have included efforts against misinformation.
Senator Ron Johnson from Wisconsin invited Noem to assist in scrutinizing CISA. In response, she indicated her willingness to collaborate with him if he wished to investigate the agency’s actions during the pandemic. While CISA’s Director, Jen Easterly, defended the agency’s practices, asserting it does not engage in censorship, Noem expressed her desire for accountability in its functions.
The Secret Service, operating under DHS, has also faced scrutiny following a recent assassination attempt against Trump during a rally. Noem remarked on the need for substantial changes within the agency, emphasizing the necessity of focusing on essential security duties rather than non-essential investigative roles. She described the agency as understaffed, asserting her commitment to ensuring adequate resources to protect national security events and the individuals under their care.
In the midst of Noem’s testimony, it was announced by Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., that Sean Curran, currently in charge of the president-elect’s personal detail, would be nominated as the new director of the Secret Service.
