US President-elect Donald Trump is set to nominate South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, according to two sources familiar with the decision.
Noem, a strong ally of Trump, brings limited experience on national security matters to the role but has gained national attention for her conservative policies and outspoken stance on border issues.
Noem, currently in her second term as governor of South Dakota, secured reelection in 2022 with a decisive victory.
She first rose to prominence on the national stage after her decision not to impose a statewide mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Known for her commitment to conservative values, Noem has been a frequent supporter of Trump’s policies and was even considered a possible vice-presidential pick before Trump selected his eventual running mate.
The Department of Homeland Security, which Noem would lead, is one of the largest federal agencies, with a staff of around 260,000 people and a mission that spans border security, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity.
Noem’s experience in border security came primarily from her symbolic trips to the US-Mexico border and her vocal advocacy for stronger measures.
In January, she described the border situation as a “warzone” and, as governor, deployed National Guard troops to assist Texas with border security efforts—a move that was controversial, especially after one deployment in 2021 was funded by a Republican billionaire.
Trump, who won the recent presidential election against Vice President Kamala Harris, campaigned heavily on the promise of increased border security and immigration restrictions.
He has criticised the current administration’s handling of illegal immigration, vowing swift actions, including mass deportations, from his first day back in office. Noem’s appointment appears to signal Trump’s intent to follow through on these pledges.
While Noem’s background is rooted more in state governance than in national security, she has shown a willingness to take bold, and sometimes controversial, stances.
Earlier this year, she drew backlash for recounting in her memoir an incident in which she shot and killed an “untrainable” dog that she “hated” on her family farm.
This story reportedly affected her standing with some of Trump’s advisers when she was still in consideration as a vice-presidential pick.
The Trump campaign and Noem’s office did not respond to requests for comment on her nomination. However, Trump’s recent appointments indicate a clear direction for his administration’s immigration agenda.
Earlier this week, he named former immigration enforcement official Tom Homan as his “border czar.” Additionally, Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump’s first-term immigration policies, is expected to join the new administration as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy.
Follow us on:
