Kristi Noem Faces Scrutiny While Advancing as Trump's Homeland Security Nominee

The South Dakota governor engages with senators to secure confirmation, as criticism of her past leadership resurfaces.

Kristi Noem, South Dakota governor and President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Homeland Security Secretary, is meeting with senators to build support for her confirmation.
Noem is emphasizing her alignment with Trump’s immigration policies but has faced questions about her preparedness to oversee the Department of Homeland Security’s broad responsibilities, including FEMA and cybersecurity.
Critics, including South Dakota residents, have raised concerns about her handling of a 2024 flood disaster, alleging delayed federal aid requests and prioritization of political ambitions over local needs.
Noem’s meetings with senators, including Rand Paul and Josh Hawley, suggest she is likely to secure the necessary votes, with Republican allies praising her experience and leadership.
Her nomination follows a history of controversial decisions, such as deploying South Dakota National Guard troops to the Texas border and her account of shooting a family pet in her memoir, which has drawn mixed public reactions.