On Saturday morning, the Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as the new Secretary of Homeland Security with 59 votes in favor. Noem, who will now lead the department, will be responsible for carrying out President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
The Secretary of Homeland Security heads the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a federal agency tasked with ensuring public safety. The role was established following the September 11, 2001, attacks and is part of the U.S. Cabinet.
DHS oversees several key agencies focused on national security, immigration enforcement, law enforcement, and emergency management. Among its most prominent agencies are U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), responsible for processing visa applications, citizenship requests, and asylum cases, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which secures U.S. borders and regulates trade and travel. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforces immigration laws, investigates customs-related crimes, and manages the detention and removal of individuals.
Noem, who served as South Dakota’s 33rd governor from 2019 to 2025, resigned from the role following her confirmation as Secretary. A Republican, she represented South Dakota’s at-large congressional district in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2019 and was a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011.
As South Dakota’s first female governor, Noem rose to national prominence in 2018 when she was endorsed by President Trump. She became widely recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic for her refusal to issue a statewide mask mandate, instead advocating for voluntary measures.
Noem, who lives on a farm and ranch in rural South Dakota, often highlights her agricultural background to emphasize self-reliance and limited government. She published her first autobiography, Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland, in 2022, and her second book, No Going Back (2024), sparked controversy over her account of killing a young family dog. Her political views are aligned with conservative Republicans, including strong support for the right to carry guns.