The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Tuesday (June 17) that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was taken to the hospital due to an allergic reaction.
Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin released a statement to multiple media outlets saying, “Secretary Noem experienced an allergic reaction today. Out of extreme caution, she was taken to the hospital. She is currently conscious and recovering.”
According to CBS News, Noem was transported to George Washington University Hospital in Washington D.C. for treatment, with multiple vehicles from the Secret Service escorting her as part of her security detail.
It is currently unclear what caused Noem’s allergic reaction and when she will be discharged from the hospital.
President Trump’s ally, Bruce Levell, expressed on social media platform X, “My dear friend Noem, our fearless Secretary of Homeland Security, has just been urgently taken to the hospital. In this difficult time, my heart is with her. But I know her willpower and determination will shine through. Please join me in praying for Kristi’s speedy and full recovery.”
“She has tirelessly led the implementation of Trump’s plans to uphold law and order, utilizing ICE to protect our country from criminals,” Levell continued, “Let us steadfastly support her as she steadfastly supports America.”
At 53 years old, Noem has previously served as a U.S. Representative and Governor of South Dakota. She currently leads the Department of Homeland Security, which has over 260,000 employees. The department is responsible for overseeing immigration enforcement, airport security, disaster response, cybersecurity, the Secret Service, and the Coast Guard during peacetime. Established in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it is one of the federal government’s most significant cabinet-level departments.
As a key figure in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement, the female Secretary has personally participated in several operations to arrest undocumented immigrants. Last week, amid violent protests in Los Angeles, she visited the city to inspect law enforcement activities and hold a press conference.