The Senate made a significant move on Saturday, confirming South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R) as President Donald Trump’s Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In a 59-34 vote, Noem earned bipartisan support, with several Democrats crossing the aisle to back her nomination, including Senators John Fetterman (PA), Tim Kaine (VA), Elissa Slotkin (MI), Andy Kim (NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), and Gary Peters (MI). Every Republican present voted in favor of Noem’s confirmation.
Governor Noem’s path to confirmation was notably smooth, especially in today’s often contentious political climate. Her nomination cleared the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee by an overwhelming 13-2 vote, signaling broad support for her leadership at DHS. Even as a strong Trump ally, Noem garnered respect from both sides of the aisle, positioning her as a unifying figure in this critical role.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) was quick to celebrate Noem’s confirmation, posting on X, “Congratulations to fellow South Dakotan [Kristi Noem] on being confirmed as secretary of Homeland Security. I know she’s ready to get to work for President Trump and the American people.”
Congratulations to fellow South Dakotan @KristiNoem on being confirmed as secretary of Homeland Security. I know she’s ready to get to work for President Trump and the American people. pic.twitter.com/zH2NqoldEG
— Leader John Thune (@LeaderJohnThune) January 25, 2025
As Secretary of DHS, Noem takes the helm of a department tasked with key responsibilities such as overseeing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These agencies are central to Trump’s administration as it works to fulfill the president’s campaign promises to secure the southern border and address illegal immigration. Noem’s leadership will also extend to FEMA, an agency under scrutiny after reports of political discrimination against Trump supporters.
Noem is no stranger to the challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border. She has been vocal about the crisis, describing the border under the Biden administration as a “warzone.” With her confirmation coming just days into Trump’s second term, Noem steps into her role as DHS Secretary at a critical moment, as the administration accelerates its efforts to tackle illegal immigration and crack down on criminal activity.
In just the first days of Trump’s renewed presidency, the administration has already demonstrated its focus on border enforcement. Between midnight on January 21 and 9 a.m. on January 22, ICE arrested more than 460 illegal immigrants, many with serious criminal records.
Offenses among those arrested included sexual assault, domestic violence, robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, and drug- and weapon-related crimes. These early results underscore the administration’s commitment to its enforcement agenda, with Noem now positioned to lead these efforts at a national level.
Noem’s confirmation also makes her the fourth member of Trump’s new Cabinet to secure Senate approval, following Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Her proven track record as governor and her strong advocacy for border security make her a natural fit for the role, and her bipartisan backing signals confidence in her ability to navigate the department’s complex challenges.