The Senate confirmed Republican South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) on Saturday.
“YEAS is 59 years old and Naes is 34 years old. The nomination has been confirmed,” Republican Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, who presided over the confirmation, said on the Senate floor. live streaming Roll call voting.
Noem, 53; It will be 8th DHS Secretary. Her confirmation hearing was held on January 17th. She replaces Chief Benjamin Huffman, who was serving as a placeholder pending Norm’s confirmation.
She is expected to execute President Donald Trump executive order on border security and immigration, overseeing Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Secret Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies. (Related: Trump DHS chucks two Biden-era immigration policies in the dustbin)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 17: South Dakota Governor Chris Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security was appointed before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on January 17, 2025. Speak at a hearing before the Governmental Affairs Committee. In Washington DC. Noem is expected to face questions about the incoming Trump administration’s plans to crack down on illegal immigration. (Photo: Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
Noem resigned as South Dakota governor on Saturday, and Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden replaced her. “As you assume the role of governor, remember our state’s motto: ‘Under God, let the people rule.’ I hope you will do what I did.” “I chose you because I knew how to approach the role,” she wrote to Roden. resignation letter.
The voting margin for NOEM’s confirmation was not similar to the voting margin for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, whose confirmation took place on Friday and required Vice President J.D. Vance to break the tie on the vote and secure Hegseth’s confirmation. .
WASHINGTON, DC – January 17: South Dakota Governor Chris Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security speaks with Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) before hearing before Homeland Security and Govt. January 17, 2025, Capitol Hill Issues Committee in Washington, DC. Noem is expected to face questions about the incoming Trump administration’s plans to crack down on illegal immigration. (Photo: Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
Like the Pentagon, border security reinforcements and deportations of illegal immigrants are already underway announcement Deployment of 1,500 troops to US-Mexico border and military aircraft For the deportation of 5,000 illegal immigrants detained by CBP. Two military planes fly over 160 illegal immigrants, Reuters on Friday has been reported.
Trump selected Noem to be DHS secretary in November 2024. “Christie is very strong on border security,” Trump said. “I have known Christie for many years and have worked with her on a wide range of projects, and she will be a big part of our mission to make America safe again.”
