In a move reinforcing his tough stance on illegal immigration, President-elect Donald Trump has announced his selection of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security. The appointment signals Trump’s commitment to stringent immigration policies and further emphasizes his drive to tighten national security measures.
At 52, Noem is a staunch Trump ally who has consistently supported his aggressive immigration policies, including mass deportations. The Department of Homeland Security, which Noem will oversee, is responsible for agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It is a vast department, with over 260,000 employees and a $60 billion budget.
When asked about Trump’s plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, Noem has been vocal. In a recent interview, she emphasized that the first priority would be removing dangerous criminals, including murderers and rapists, from the U.S. In line with Trump’s immigration agenda, Noem confirmed that the administration would also focus on deporting immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally, even if they had not committed any crimes since arrival.
Noem’s selection comes as a natural progression in her political career. A rancher and business owner, she has served as South Dakota’s governor since 2019, where she became the state’s first female governor. She’s known for her strong stance against high taxes and government overreach, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, she drew national attention for her refusal to implement lockdowns or mandate masks. Her belief in preserving freedoms and liberties during times of crisis resonated with conservative voters, which helped her secure a landslide reelection in 2022.
Before becoming governor, Noem expressed support for Trump’s “Muslim ban,” a 2017 executive order halting refugee resettlements and restricting immigrants from several Muslim-majority countries. Throughout her political career, she has been a vocal advocate for strict border control and has repeatedly criticized the handling of immigration under President Biden. In 2021, she famously declared that South Dakota would not accept illegal immigrants relocated by the Biden administration.
Noem’s tough stance on immigration extended to action as well. She sent National Guard troops to Texas to support its border security efforts and proposed additional measures like razor wire to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. She has called the situation a national crisis, warning that drug cartels are waging war against the U.S. by perpetuating violence in states across the country.
However, Noem’s tenure hasn’t been without controversy. In her 2023 book, No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward, she faced backlash after revealing she had euthanized her pet dog, Cricket, for behavioral issues. She defended the decision, asserting that unlike many politicians, she faced tough decisions head-on and didn’t shy away from difficult truths.
As the new head of Homeland Security, Noem will lead the department during a period of heightened global tensions, including border security challenges and ongoing issues with drug trafficking and immigration enforcement. Her appointment signals that Trump remains committed to his hardline policies, especially in securing the southern border and enforcing laws that regulate immigration into the U.S.