In a strategic move that signals a no-nonsense approach to national security, President-elect Donald Trump has selected South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the new head of the Department of Homeland Security, according to The Wall Street Journal. This appointment underscores Trump’s unwavering commitment to fortify the southern border and clamp down on illegal immigration, a cornerstone pledge of his campaign.
The Department of Homeland Security, responsible for agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is set to play a pivotal role under Noem’s leadership. Her appointment follows the recent revelation by news outlets of FEMA’s alleged discrimination against Trump supporters, highlighting the urgent need for a leader who will ensure these agencies serve all Americans fairly.
Noem’s selection comes on the heels of Trump’s appointment of Tom Homan as “Border Czar,” a well-known hardliner on immigration, which dovetails with Trump’s stringent policies. Governor Noem, having visited the border on multiple occasions, has not shied away from calling out the Biden administration for turning the border into what she describes as a “warzone.”
In a bold move earlier this year, Noem, alongside 24 other Republican governors, backed Texas Governor Greg Abbott in his efforts to secure the border independently, criticizing the Biden administration for its lax enforcement of immigration laws:
“President Biden and his Administration have left Americans and our country completely vulnerable to unprecedented illegal immigration pouring across the Southern border. Instead of upholding the rule of law and securing the border, the Biden Administration has attacked and sued Texas for stepping up to protect American citizens from historic levels of illegal immigrants, deadly drugs like fentanyl, and terrorists entering our country,” the governors stated.
“We stand in solidarity with our fellow Governor, Greg Abbott, and the State of Texas in utilizing every tool and strategy, including razor wire fences, to secure the border. We do it in part because the Biden Administration is refusing to enforce immigration laws already on the books and is illegally allowing mass parole across America of migrants who entered our country illegally,” they added, showcasing a united front against federal inaction.
Noem’s allegiance to Trump has been unwavering, though not without its controversies. Her candid recounting of having to put down her dog in her book “No Going Back” has drawn ire from some quarters. However, Noem stood firm:
“I can understand why some people are upset about a 20-year-old story of Cricket, one of the working dogs at our ranch, in my upcoming book — No Going Back. The book is filled with many honest stories of my life, good and bad days, challenges, painful decisions, and lessons learned,” Noem stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Whether running the ranch or in politics, I have never passed on my responsibilities to anyone else to handle. Even if it’s hard and painful. I followed the law and was being a responsible parent, dog owner, and neighbor,” she added, defending her actions as necessary, if not easy.
Noem also faced backlash for her approach to transgender issues in sports. Instead of outright banning males from competing in women’s sports, she issued executive orders that critics argue were diluted. Yet, her actions reflect a pragmatic approach to governance, balancing between conservative values and political realities.
Governor Kristi Noem’s appointment is not just a strategic choice for border security; it’s a statement on leadership that’s tough, direct, and unafraid of controversy. As she steps into this critical role, the nation watches closely, anticipating a robust defense of American sovereignty and law.
