Kristi Noem confirmed as Homeland Security chief by US Senate

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
26 Jan 2025 07:52

The South Dakota governor will oversee Trump’s anti-immigration agenda, air travel, and disaster response.

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Kristi Noem, left, greets guests in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington, on January 25, 2025. (AP)

On Saturday, the US Senate confirmed Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota, as the Secretary of Homeland Security. This appointment positions her to lead a vast agency critical to national security and advance Donald Trump’s agenda to tighten measures against illegal immigration during his second term.

The Senate worked as Republicans successfully sought to install the latest members of Trump's national security team. In a dramatic tie-breaking vote by JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was confirmed, joining the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and the CIA director, John Ratcliffe.

The Senate is scheduled to vote next Monday evening on Scott Bessent’s confirmation as treasury secretary.

What an honor to be sworn in as Secretary of @DHSgov by Justice Clarence Thomas!

I will faithfully execute the duties of this office. I will always preserve the Constitution and the security of our nation. pic.twitter.com/xt5gMm5DJU
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) January 26, 2025

Republicans unanimously backed Kristi Noem's confirmation, joined by seven Democrats: John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Andy Kim of New Jersey, Gary Peters of Michigan, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. The final Senate vote stood at 59-34.

Supporters of Noem commended her stance on immigration and expressed confidence in her capability to lead the Department of Homeland Security effectively.

“Fixing this crisis and restoring respect for the rule of law is one of President Trump and Republicans’ top priorities,” the GOP Senate majority leader, John Thune of South Dakota, said on Friday. “And it’s going to require a decisive and committed leader at the Department of Homeland Security. I believe Kristi has everything it takes to undertake this task.”

Noem thanked Trump for appointing her to the role on Saturday.

“I will work to make America SAFE again,” she wrote on social media.

Thank you, Mr. President @realDonaldTrump, for the confidence in me to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security.

I will work to make America SAFE again!
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) January 25, 2025

It is worth mentioning that the Homeland Security Secretary oversees US Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Citizenship and Immigration Services. Additionally, the department is also responsible for securing airline transportation, protecting dignitaries, responding to natural disasters, and more.