Senate confirms Noem to lead DHS

The Senate on Saturday approved the nomination of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), centering her at the center of an administration largely focused on immigration.

The 59-34 vote to confirm set up a relatively smooth process even as other nominees face more intense scrutiny.

Noem will lead one of the most sprawling agencies in the 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 number of orders on immigration, took steps to hit the border and tweak several legal paths to immigration into the United States.

This included suspending refugee admissions and working to reduce asylum – another path for those fleeing danger and persecution.

He also sought to end continued citizenship for children not born to US citizens. Although the order applies to children of those who attended illegally, it may also affect those born on nonimmigrant visas, such as those in the United States on work visas. It has already been challenged in court.

The nomination is a big win for Noem, a four-term congresswoman with little national security experience but who has been outspoken on border issues as governor, sending the South Dakota National Guard to the southern border. She is set to work closely with Tom Homan, whom Trump has tapped as his border guard.

It also cements her standing in MAGA circles after chatter about her service as a potential running mate with Trump faltered amid the launch of her book, in which she wrote about photographing a young dog she described as unwalkable.

Noem has received support from both sides of the aisle despite her controversial policy role.

“Christie brings experience and commitment to her new role,” John Thune (R) said on the Senate floor on Friday. “One of the biggest challenges facing the Department of Homeland Security right now is securing our nation’s borders. Four years of record breaking illegal immigration at our southern border has left our country vulnerable to a whole host of security concerns.”

“Fixing this crisis and restoring respect for the rule of law is one of President Trump and Republicans’ top priorities, and it will require a decisive and committed leader at DHS,” Thune continued. “I think Christy has everything it takes to do this job.”

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland and Governmental Affairs Committee, said he was willing to support Nam because of her commitment to dealing with issues on a bipartisan basis.

“During his confirmation hearing, I pressed Governor Noem to personalize partisan ideologies and follow the facts when it comes to the threats our communities face — whether we’re talking about securing our borders, foreign and domestic terrorism, or even increasingly devastating disasters,” he said in a statement when Noem filed out of 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 on track for a bipartisan confirmation after the committee approved her in a 13-2 tally on Monday.

Noem’s role will not be limited to immigration. It will also oversee several DHS controls national security functions, including the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard, and the Office of Intelligence Analysis at DHS.

DHS also oversees the Secret Service, which has come under increased scrutiny after two attempts on Trump’s life.

The Department also plays a key role in responding to cyberattacks through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Trump also recently talked about taking down another Department of Homeland Security agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has been heavily criticized as it responded to a series of back-to-back natural disasters.

The confirmation marks the fourth national security nominee to light up the Senate in Trump’s first week. The upper chamber unanimously agreed and quickly approved Marco Rubio to lead the State Department before Democrats forced Republicans to run out the clock to confirm John Ratcliffe and Pete Hegseth to lead the CIA and the Pentagon, respectively.