President-elect Donald Trump has chosen South Dakota governor Kristi Noem to be the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), reported CNN citing two sources familiar with the decision.
Previously, Noem served as a US Representative before becoming South Dakota's governor. She gained national attention for her stance against Covid-19 mandates , notably refusing to impose a statewide mask requirement during the pandemic.
Noem's selection signals Trump's commitment to his immigration agenda, with hardliners Stephen Miller and Tom Homan also set to take senior positions in the department.
Noem, a loyal ally of Trump, will lead a sprawling agency with a $60 billion budget, overseeing border security , immigration enforcement, disaster response, and the US Secret Service.
This appointment comes after a turbulent period during Trump's previous administration, where DHS experienced frequent leadership changes, with five different heads, only two of whom were Senate-confirmed.
However, Noem’s political journey has not been without controversy. She faced backlash after revelations from her memoir, ‘No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward’, where she disclosed that she once shot her pet dog, Cricket, for being "untrainable."
This admission, originally reported by The Guardian, was meant to illustrate her decisiveness but sparked public outrage. Some Trump advisers speculated that this incident may have affected her standing as a potential vice-presidential candidate.
Trump’s latest appointments highlight a tough stance on immigration policies. Alongside Noem, Trump has brought back Tom Homan, appointing him as the administration’s "border czar." Homan has pledged to prioritise the deportation of undocumented immigrants posing risks to public safety and national security.
Reports also indicate that Trump is considering US Senator Marco Rubio for the position of Secretary of State, as his administration takes shape ahead of his return to the White House.
As Trump fills out his cabinet, his choices reflect a focus on loyalty and a firm approach to immigration and national security, which seems likely a return to his hardline policies from his first term.
Previously, Noem served as a US Representative before becoming South Dakota's governor. She gained national attention for her stance against Covid-19 mandates , notably refusing to impose a statewide mask requirement during the pandemic.
Noem's selection signals Trump's commitment to his immigration agenda, with hardliners Stephen Miller and Tom Homan also set to take senior positions in the department.
Noem, a loyal ally of Trump, will lead a sprawling agency with a $60 billion budget, overseeing border security , immigration enforcement, disaster response, and the US Secret Service.
This appointment comes after a turbulent period during Trump's previous administration, where DHS experienced frequent leadership changes, with five different heads, only two of whom were Senate-confirmed.
However, Noem’s political journey has not been without controversy. She faced backlash after revelations from her memoir, ‘No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward’, where she disclosed that she once shot her pet dog, Cricket, for being "untrainable."
This admission, originally reported by The Guardian, was meant to illustrate her decisiveness but sparked public outrage. Some Trump advisers speculated that this incident may have affected her standing as a potential vice-presidential candidate.
Trump’s latest appointments highlight a tough stance on immigration policies. Alongside Noem, Trump has brought back Tom Homan, appointing him as the administration’s "border czar." Homan has pledged to prioritise the deportation of undocumented immigrants posing risks to public safety and national security.
Reports also indicate that Trump is considering US Senator Marco Rubio for the position of Secretary of State, as his administration takes shape ahead of his return to the White House.
As Trump fills out his cabinet, his choices reflect a focus on loyalty and a firm approach to immigration and national security, which seems likely a return to his hardline policies from his first term.
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