By Steve Neavling
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has been confirmed as the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, becoming the fourth Cabinet nominee of President Donald Trump’s second term to win Senate approval.
Noem secured her confirmation on Saturday with a 59-34 vote in the Senate, USA Today reports. Her approval follows a flurry of Cabinet confirmations in recent days, including former Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State in a unanimous vote on Monday, and ex-Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense by a narrow 51-50 margin on Friday, with Vice President JD Vance casting the decisive vote. John Ratcliffe, Trump’s CIA director, was confirmed as Director of National Intelligence on Thursday by a 74-25 vote.
These confirmations occurred swiftly after Trump was sworn in for his second term, with the Senate acting just days after the nominees appeared before their respective committees.
Noem’s appointment signals her pivotal role in advancing one of Trump’s signature policies: the large-scale deportation of unauthorized immigrants, a key pledge from his campaign.
Before accepting this position, Noem was midway through her second term as governor of South Dakota. Her tenure as the state’s leader caught Trump’s attention, earning her a place in his administration.
Previously, Noem served as South Dakota’s lone representative in the U.S. House for four consecutive terms. A loyal Trump ally, she had even been speculated to be a possible contender for the vice presidency during the 2024 election.
