‘I Am Honored’: Kristi Noem Takes on Homeland Security Role in Trump’s 2024 Cabinet
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
As President-elect Donald Trump celebrates his victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, he is swiftly assembling a team to execute his vision for the nation. Among the key appointments, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been tapped to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security. Known for her loyalty to Trump’s “Make America Safe Again” agenda, Noem’s nomination signals a strong push toward securing the nation’s borders and implementing stricter immigration policies.
In a statement, Trump praised Noem’s leadership, particularly her proactive approach to border security. “Kristi has been very strong on border security. She was the first Governor to send [the] National Guard Soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden Border Crisis,” Trump noted. He added that Noem would work closely with Tom Homan, his appointed “Border Czar,” to ensure the safety of American communities.
“She will guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries,” Trump wrote, expressing his confidence in Noem’s ability to deliver results. Noem, responding to the nomination on X (formerly Twitter), expressed gratitude and determination. “I am honored and humbled that President Donald J. Trump has selected me to be the Secretary of Homeland Security,” she wrote.
“With Donald Trump, we will secure the border and restore safety to American communities.” Noem’s role as Homeland Security Secretary places her at the helm of one of the most powerful agencies in the federal government. Overseeing a $62 billion discretionary budget and leading approximately 260,000 employees, her responsibilities include border enforcement, disaster response, and counter-terrorism initiatives.
The Department of Homeland Security is the third-largest department in the U.S. government, making Noem’s leadership a significant appointment. While Noem does not hail from a border state, she has a long record of advocating for stricter immigration policies. As a congresswoman, she supported Trump’s Muslim travel ban and called for penalties against sanctuary cities that protected undocumented immigrants.
Noem’s history of opposing progressive immigration policies aligns closely with Trump’s vision, making her a natural fit for the role. Noem’s appointment is not without controversy. Her recent memoir, No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward, includes a polarizing anecdote about euthanizing her family dog, Cricket, after the animal attacked chickens and bit her.
“I realized I had to put her down,” she wrote, describing the dog as “untrainable.” Critics seized on the story, amplifying debates about her judgment and temperament. Additionally, Noem has faced criticism over her political conduct, including being banned from Native American lands and allegedly fabricating a story about meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Despite these controversies, Noem’s MAGA loyalty and alignment with Trump’s policies have solidified her as a key figure in his administration as per CNN.
As Noem prepares to take on one of the most critical roles in Trump’s cabinet, she is poised to lead the charge on Trump’s promise to secure the borders and reshape immigration policy. Whether her leadership will deliver on Trump’s bold campaign promises or fuel further controversy remains to be seen. For now, her appointment marks a significant step in the unfolding narrative of Trump’s 2024 administration.
