Kristi Noem sworn in as DHS Secretary
Kristi Noem was sworn in Saturday because the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Safety. She shared a clip on social of the ceremony, which was held on the house of Supreme Court docket Justice Clarence Thomas. Noem was confirmed earlier Saturday.
WASHINGTON – The Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as homeland safety secretary on Saturday, placing the South Dakota governor in control of a sprawling company that’s important to nationwide safety and President Donald Trump’s plans to clamp down on unlawful immigration.
Republicans stored the Senate working Saturday to put in the newest member of Trump’s nationwide safety crew on a 59-34 vote.
Noem was sworn in by Supreme Court docket Justice Clarence Thomas at his house later Saturday. She was to have been sworn in by Vice President JD Vance within the afternoon however that was referred to as off when she was delayed, in response to an individual aware of the occasions who was not licensed to debate them and spoke on situation of anonymity.
The Senate will subsequent vote Monday night on Scott Bessent’s affirmation as treasury secretary.
Who’s Kristi Noem?
The backstory:
Noem, a Trump ally who’s in her second time period as governor, acquired some assist from Democrats on the Senate Homeland Safety and Governmental Affairs Committee when it voted 13-2 to advance her nomination earlier within the week. Republicans, who already maintain the votes needed to substantiate her, have additionally expressed confidence in her dedication to guide border safety and immigration enforcement.”
RELATED: Kristi Noem faces Senate affirmation listening to
Noem, who held her state’s lone U.S. Home seat for eight years earlier than turning into governor in 2019, has risen within the GOP by tacking intently with Trump. At one level, she was even into consideration to be his working mate.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Division of Homeland Safety, is sworn in throughout her affirmation listening to earlier than the Homeland Safety and Governmental Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill on
Her political inventory took a momentary dip, nonetheless, when she launched a ebook final yr containing an account of her killing her looking canine, in addition to a false declare that she as soon as met with North Korean chief Kim Jong Un.
What they’re saying:
On social media, Noem thanked Trump for “the arrogance in me to function Secretary of Homeland Safety.”
She added, “I’ll work to make America SAFE once more!”
Senate Majority Chief John Thune, R-S.D., stated Friday, “Fixing this disaster and restoring respect for the rule of regulation is one among President Trump and Republicans’ prime priorities. And it’s going to require a decisive and dedicated chief on the Division of Homeland Safety.”
“Fixing this disaster and restoring respect for the rule of regulation is one among President Trump and Republicans’ prime priorities,” Senate Majority Chief John Thune, R-S.D., stated Friday. “And it’s going to require a decisive and dedicated chief on the Division of Homeland Safety. I consider Kristi has every part it takes to undertake this process.”
The opposite aspect:
Nonetheless, Senate Democratic chief Chuck Schumer of New York, in addition to most different Democrats, voted towards Noem. He pointed to “bipartisan options to repair the mess at our border,” including that Noem “appears headed within the flawed course.”
What does the DHS Secretary do?
Why you need to care:
The secretary oversees U.S. Customs and Border Safety, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Citizenship and Immigration Providers. Past these businesses, the division can be liable for securing airline transportation, defending dignitaries, responding to pure disasters and extra.
Trump is planning main modifications to the best way the division capabilities, together with involving the navy in immigration enforcement and reshaping the Federal Emergency Administration Company. These plans might instantly put Noem within the highlight after the brand new president visited current catastrophe websites in North Carolina and California on Friday.
Noem could be tasked with delivering on Trump’s favourite situation, border safety. The president’s targets of deporting thousands and thousands of people that entered the nation illegally might put Noem, together with her expertise governing a rural state and rising up on a farm, in a tough place. In South Dakota, many migrants, some within the nation with out everlasting authorized standing, energy the labor-heavy jobs that produce meals and housing.
RELATED: Kristi Noem defends killing pet after widespread outrage from Republicans and Dems
She has up to now pledged to faithfully execute the president’s orders and copied his speak of an “invasion” on the U.S. border with Mexico.
Noem joined different Republican governors who despatched Nationwide Guard troops to Texas to help Operation Lone Star, which sought to discourage migrants. Her resolution was particularly criticized as a result of she accepted a $1 million donation from a Tennessee billionaire to cowl among the deployment price.
Noem stated she opted to ship Nationwide Guard troops “due to this invasion,” including that “it’s a conflict zone down there.”
Noem confronted powerful questions from lawmakersÂ
Throughout her Senate listening to, Noem was repeatedly requested by Democratic senators whether or not she would administer catastrophe help to states even when Trump requested her to not.
Noem averted saying that she would defy the president, however she instructed lawmakers, “I’ll ship the applications in response to the regulation and that it will likely be accomplished with no political bias.”
Six folks cycled via as homeland safety secretary throughout Trump’s first 4 years in workplace.
The Supply: The Related Press contributed to this report. The data on this story seems to be sourced from numerous reviews and statements made by public officers, together with these from the Senate, political leaders, and Kristi Noem herself. This story was reported from Los Angeles.Â