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The Senate on Saturday approved the nomination of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), putting her at the center of an administration focused heavily on immigration.
The 59-34 vote to confirm NOEM capped a relatively smooth process, even as other nominees face more intense scrutiny.
Six Democrats voted with Republicans to confirm Noem: Sens. John Fetterman (Pa.), Tim Kaine (Va.), Andy Kim (NJ), Gary Peters (Mich.), Jeanne Shaheen (NH) and Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) .
Noem will lead one of the most sprawling agencies in government and one of particular importance in a Trump administration determined to crack down on immigration.
During his first week in office, President Trump signed a series of executive orders on immigration and took steps to militarize the border and crack down on many legal avenues to immigrate to the United States
That included suspending refugee admissions and working to limit asylum — another avenue for those fleeing danger and persecution.
He also sought to end birthright citizenship for children not born to US citizens. While the order would apply to children of those illegally present, it could also affect those born to nonimmigrant visas, such as those legally in the United States on work visas. It has already been challenged in court.
The nomination is a major victory for NOEM, a four-term congresswoman with little national security experience but who had been vocal on border issues as governor who sent the South Dakota National Guard to the southern border. She is slated to work closely with Tom Homan, whom Trump tapped as his border czar.
It also solidifies her standing in Maga circles after claims she, who served as a potential running mate for Trump, faltered amid the publication of her book, in which she wrote about shooting a young dog she described as tireless.
Noem won support from those on both sides of the aisle despite the role she will play in a controversial area of politics.
“Kristi brings experience and commitment to her new role,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (Rs.D.) said on the Senate floor Friday. “One of the biggest challenges facing the Department of Homeland Security right now is securing our country’s border. Four years of record-breaking illegal immigration at our southern border has left our country vulnerable to a whole host of security concerns. “
“Resolving this crisis and restoring respect for the rule of law is one of President Trump’s and Republicans’ highest priorities, and it will require decisive and committed leadership at the Department of Homeland Security,” Thune continued. “I believe that Kristi has what it takes to take on this task.”
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland and Government Affairs Committee, said he was willing to support Noem because of her commitment to handling issues on a bipartisan basis.
“During her confirmation hearing, I pushed Governor Noem to put aside partisan ideologies and to follow the facts when it comes to the threats facing our society — whether we’re talking about securing our borders, foreign and domestic terrorism, or even in increasing degree devastating natural disasters,” he said in a statement as Noem walked out of the committee.
“Given her openness to working on a bipartisan basis to address these and other threats to our Homeland Security, I voted to advance her nomination out of committee and send it to the Senate floor for consideration.”
The South Dakota governor was headed for a bipartisan confirmation after the panel approved her in a 13-2 vote Monday.
Noem’s role will not be limited to immigration. She will also oversee the many national security functions DHS oversees, including the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard and DHS’s Office of Intelligence Analysis.
DHS also oversees the Secret Service, which is under increasing scrutiny after two attempts on Trump’s life.
The department also plays a key role in responding to cyberattacks through the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Trump has also recently talked about siphoning another key DHS agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has come under fire as it has responded to a series of back-to-back natural disasters.
The confirmation marks the fourth national security nominee the Senate has greenlit in Trump’s first week. The upper chamber unanimously and quickly approved Marco Rubio to lead the State Department, before Democrats forced Republicans to run the clock to confirm John Ratcliffe and Pete Hegseth to lead the CIA and the Pentagon, respectively.
