Kristi Noem, Trump's homeland security pick, faces scrutiny on
immigration plans
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 [January 17, 2025]
By REBECCA SANTANA and STEPHEN GROVES
WASHINGTON (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Donald Trump's pick to
lead the agency central to his vision of cracking down on illegal
immigration, will face senators Friday at confirmation hearing that will
be her first chance to lay out her vision for the sprawling Department
of Homeland Security.
Noem, a two-term governor and former U.S. congresswoman, was chosen by
the president-elect to lead the department responsible for key
immigration and border-related actions that will be central to his plans
for mass deportations and tightened access at the border.
The immigration and border-related agencies Noem would oversee include
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement
and Citizenship and Immigration Services. Beyond those agencies, the
department is also responsible for securing airline transportation,
protecting high-profile dignitaries, responding to natural disasters and
more.
She would replace outgoing DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who was so
vilified by Republicans angry at the number of migrants crossing the
country's southern border that they impeached him in early 2024.
Noem would be entering a job that was a pressure cooker under the first
Trump administration. Six people cycled through the homeland security
secretary position during his four years in office.
So far, she appears to have strong backing from GOP senators who will be
crucial to her confirmation.
Sen. Rand Paul, the Republican chair of the Senate Homeland Security
Committee where Noem will testify, said he expected a straightforward
hearing.
“I'm not aware of any real specific complaints from the Democrats on
Kristi Noem,” Paul said. “I think there's a reasonable chance that she
gets some Democrat support.”
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South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks before Republican presidential
nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign town hall, Oct.
14, 2024, in Oaks, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Still, Democrats are ready to question whether she is qualified to
lead a department that is crucial to the country's safety.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat on the committee,
said he had “serious doubts” about her ability to manage “this huge
organization of such serious consequence to national security.”
Noem in recent years became a regular presence in Trump’s orbit and
at one point was even considered to be his running mate.
After becoming governor, Noem started working closely with Corey
Lewandowski, Trump’s 2016 campaign manager. Then, during the
pandemic, she rose to prominence in conservative circles for
resisting most government regulations to slow the spread of
infections.
The South Dakota governor has echoed Trump's tough immigration talk.
“Now, the situation at our southern border is nothing short of an
invasion. And over the last four years, America’s border security
has been purposely weakened and ignored. Our laws have not been
enforced,” Noem said during her State of the State address Tuesday.
Noem joined other Republican governors who sent troops to Texas to
assist Operation Lone Star, which sought to discourage migrants. The
decision was met with particularly harsh criticism because Noem
covered most of the deployment cost with a $1 million donation from
a Tennessee billionaire who has often donated to Republicans.
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