(TJV) Republican South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem was confirmed as the Secretary of Homeland Security on Saturday with a 59 to 34 vote in the Senate. Her confirmation was considered one of the less contentious nominations for President Trump’s Cabinet.
U.S Senate CONFIRMS Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security, 59-34. pic.twitter.com/30rfEFT1MS
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 25, 2025
The vote was largely bipartisan, with no Republican senators opposing her confirmation.
Earlier this week, the Senate also easily confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. However, Pete Hegseth faced a tougher confirmation as Defense Secretary, narrowly securing approval on Friday evening after Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote.
As Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem will oversee critical agencies such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Secret Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
President Trump recently suggested during a press conference in North Carolina, following his survey of hurricane-damaged areas, that FEMA should be abolished. “I think, frankly, FEMA is not good,” he stated, referring to the agency’s response to Hurricane Helene, which left North Carolina struggling to recover four months later.
In her new role, Noem will also play a key part in facilitating President Trump’s immigration policies, including a mass deportation initiative led alongside border czar Tom Homan. During her confirmation hearing, Noem emphasized the administration’s priorities. “President Trump was elected with a clear mandate. He needs to achieve this mission because two-thirds of Americans support his immigration and border policies, including the majority of Hispanic Americans,” she said.
ICE has already begun intensifying deportation efforts. One recent raid apprehended a Haitian gang member who, as he was detained, shouted, “F— Trump, Biden forever!
