President-elect Donald Trump has chosen South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to serve as his next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Noem’s appointment aligns with Trump’s emphasis on cracking down on immigration, with key immigration hardliners like Stephen Miller and Tom Homan also being slated for senior roles in the administration.
The big picture: Trump’s selection of Noem as the Homeland Security Secretary underscores his focus on loyalty, ensuring a loyalist will lead an agency that is crucial to his domestic agenda.
- Noem, despite not representing a border state, has a history of taking hardline stances on immigration issues.
Driving the news: Noem has established herself as a Trump-style governor, opposing Covid-19 restrictions and currying favor with Trump since taking office in 2019.
- Noem has remained a staunch ally of Trump, participating in his campaign activities and being considered as a potential running mate in the past.
