Senate Confirms Noem as Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary – Casson Living – World News, Breaking News, International News

Senate Confirms Noem as Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary – Casson Living – World News, Breaking News, International News

Washington Welcomes Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security

On Saturday, the Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as the new Secretary of Homeland Security, marking a significant moment for the South Dakota governor as she takes the reins of a crucial agency that plays a central role in national security and is a key player in President Donald Trump’s approach to illegal immigration.

The confirmation, which took place during a session that extended into Saturday, saw Republican senators secure her approval with a vote tally of 59-34, further strengthening Trump’s national security team.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was confirmed after a dramatic tie-breaking vote on Friday night, joining the ranks of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The Senate is anticipated to vote on Scott Bessent’s nomination for treasury secretary on Monday evening.

Noem, a loyal supporter of Trump and currently serving her second term as governor, received backing from seven Democrats during the voting process. With a Republican majority already in place, they expressed confidence in her ability to effectively lead initiatives related to border security and immigration.

In her post-confirmation remarks, Noem pledged to focus on “securing our southern border and reforming our flawed immigration system,” while also emphasizing the importance of “detecting and preventing terrorism and providing quick disaster relief to Americans in need.”

As Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem will oversee essential agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Citizenship and Immigration Services. Her role will also include securing air travel, protecting dignitaries, and managing responses to natural disasters, among other responsibilities.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, remarked on Friday that “addressing this crisis and restoring respect for the rule of law is a top priority for President Trump and Republicans. This requires a strong and resolute leader at the department.”

The Democratic perspective on immigration enforcement under Trump is varied, with some members slowly coming around to his stringent policies.

However, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer from New York, along with the majority of his party members, opposed Noem’s confirmation. He stressed the necessity for “bipartisan solutions to address the issues at our border,” criticizing Noem and suggesting she is “heading in the wrong direction.”

Trump is expected to implement significant changes within the department, which may include military involvement in immigration enforcement and a reorganization of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These developments will place Noem under immediate scrutiny, particularly following the president’s recent visits to areas affected by disasters in North Carolina and California.

During her Senate confirmation hearing, Democratic senators pressed Noem on whether she would provide disaster relief to states even if directed otherwise by the president.

Although she did not commit to defying the president, Noem assured lawmakers, “I will implement programs according to the law and without political bias.”

Throughout Trump’s first term, the position of Homeland Security Secretary changed hands six times.

Noem, who served eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives before taking office as governor in 2019, has gained prominence in the GOP by closely aligning with Trump. She was once even considered a potential running mate.

However, her political image faced challenges last year when she released a book that included a controversial anecdote about the death of her hunting dog alongside an inaccurate claim regarding a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

As she steps into her new role, Noem is tasked with advancing Trump’s focus on border security. The president’s goals to deport millions of undocumented immigrants may pose challenges for Noem, particularly given her experience in managing a rural state where many migrant workers are vital to industries like agriculture and housing.

So far, Noem has expressed her dedication to executing the president’s directives and has echoed his rhetoric about an “invasion” at the southern border.

Additionally, she joined other Republican governors in deploying National Guard troops to Texas to support Operation Lone Star, a contentious initiative aimed at deterring migrants. This decision faced criticism, especially after she accepted a $1 million donation from a Tennessee billionaire to help fund the deployment.

In defense of her actions, Noem stated, “I chose to send National Guard troops due to this invasion,” further commenting that “the situation down there resembles a war zone.”