Trump Selects South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to sources familiar with the decision. With immigration hardliners Stephen Miller and Tom Homan set to take senior roles in the administration, Noem’s appointment underscores Trump’s commitment to his stringent immigration policies.

Noem, a former South Dakota representative and one-time VP contender, will now lead the $60 billion agency, overseeing operations that include U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Known for her loyal alignment with Trump, Noem’s selection ensures that a trusted ally will manage a department central to Trump’s domestic agenda.

Despite past controversies—such as a revelation in her book No Going Back where she recounted euthanizing her dog Cricket due to its lack of hunting ability—Noem has maintained her standing within Trump’s circle. Her leadership at DHS will be critical in enforcing Trump’s key immigration pledges.