The United States Senate approved South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on January 25th.
With 59 votes in favor and 34 against, the Senate confirmed Noem’s appointment, marking the fourth cabinet member to be approved by the Senate within the first week of President Trump’s inauguration.
Six Democratic senators joined their Republican counterparts in supporting Noem, including John Fetterman (Pennsylvania), Tim Kaine (Virginia), Andy Kim (New Jersey), Gary Peters (Michigan), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire), and Elissa Slotkin (Michigan).
Noem is set to lead one of the largest departments in the Trump administration. In his first week in office, President Trump signed a series of executive orders on immigration, bolstering military deployment along the border, restricting various immigration pathways, and initiating mass deportation of immigrants with criminal records.
Having served four terms as a congresswoman in the past, Noem has been vocal on border issues as a governor, even deploying the South Dakota National Guard to support the southern border. She is expected to work closely with Tom Homan, the individual appointed by Trump for border affairs.
Though Noem will play a crucial role in the contentious field of homeland security policy, she has garnered bipartisan support.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune highlighted the challenges faced by the Department of Homeland Security, particularly in ensuring border security as the southern border has seen a record influx of illegal immigrants over the past four years.
“Addressing this crisis and restoring respect for the rule of law is a top priority for President Trump and the Republican Party,” Thune stated. “This requires a decisive and responsible leader, and I believe Noem possesses all the qualities to fulfill this mission.”
Democratic senator Peters, the ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, supported Noem citing her commitment to handling issues in a bipartisan manner.
Peters stated upon Noem’s committee approval, “At her confirmation hearing, I urged Governor Noem to set aside partisan ideologies and address the threats facing our communities based on facts – whether it’s protecting border security, combating domestic and foreign terrorism, or addressing increasingly severe natural disasters.”
Noem’s role as Secretary goes beyond immigration. She will also oversee various national security functions under the Department of Homeland Security, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Coast Guard, and the department’s intelligence analysis office.
Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for the Secret Service, which has been under scrutiny due to recent attempted assassinations of President Trump. The agency also plays a crucial role in addressing cyber-attacks through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
President Trump has also hinted at the possibility of removing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA has faced criticism for its inadequate response to a series of consecutive natural disasters.