Kristi Noem has been confirmed as the 8th Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security by a 59-34 vote in the U.S. Senate. She was sworn in by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on the same day. Noem succeeds Alejandro Mayorkas and is tasked with prioritizing the security of the United States, including addressing issues such as border control and immigration reform. She also voiced her commitment to empowering law enforcement, countering terrorism, and providing rapid disaster relief in times of crisis.
One of Noem’s key priorities is to implement President Trump’s mandate to secure the southern border and remove criminal aliens and illegal gangs from the country. She intends to focus on fully equipping intelligence and law enforcement agencies to detect and prevent terrorism. Mark Green, a Republican from Tennessee, praised Noem’s confirmation, highlighting her extensive public service experience and qualifications for leading the department. Green expressed confidence in Noem’s ability to restore the Homeland Security Department’s mission and address the growing threats facing the U.S.
Noem has been an outspoken critic of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). She believes CISA needs to be more effective and streamlined to better protect the nation’s critical infrastructure. Her stance aligns with common Republican criticisms of CISA, particularly its expansion and its focus on countering disinformation, which some Republicans see as an infringement on free speech. She expressed a desire to work with senators to introduce legislation aimed at reducing the agency’s size and improving its efficiency.
In her nomination statement, Noem emphasized the critical need for cybersecurity as part of the evolving threats facing the U.S. She described the increasing risk to vital infrastructure from cyberattacks by foreign adversaries and criminal actors. As Secretary, she plans to prioritize a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to cybersecurity, leveraging public-private partnerships and state-of-the-art technology to enhance the nation’s digital security. Noem’s proactive approach to addressing cyber risks is informed by her efforts in South Dakota, where she helped position Dakota State University as a leader in cybersecurity education.
