President-elect Donald Trump has chosen South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as his next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, sources familiar with the decision revealed. Noem's appointment comes as Trump positions two staunch immigration hardliners, Stephen Miller and Tom Homan, for senior roles, underscoring his commitment to fulfilling his immigration promises. By selecting Noem, Trump is ensuring a loyalist will lead an agency crucial to his domestic agenda.
The Department of Homeland Security faced significant upheaval during Trump's previous term, with five different leaders, only two of whom were Senate-confirmed. With a budget of $60 billion and hundreds of thousands of employees, the agency plays a pivotal role in national security.
Noem, a former South Dakota representative, will now be responsible for overseeing a vast agency that includes US Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the US Secret Service.
Noem was previously considered for the vice president position by Trump, but their relationship soured following the controversial release of her book, 'No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.' In the book, she disclosed an incident where she euthanized her 14-month-old wirehair pointer, Cricket, deeming the dog 'untrainable.' Noem clarified that these accounts were intended to demonstrate her willingness to undertake difficult tasks when necessary.
