First on CNN: Trump picks Kristi Noem to serve as his Homeland Security secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has selected South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to sources familiar with the decision. Noem, a staunch Trump ally and seasoned political figure, will take the helm of an agency that plays a pivotal role in the administration’s approach to immigration and national security.

The appointment signals Trump’s continued commitment to his hardline immigration policies, as Noem will lead the department alongside key allies of his immigration agenda. Among those expected to serve in senior roles at DHS are Stephen Miller, a prominent immigration hardliner, and Tom Homan, a former acting ICE director. This choice emphasizes Trump’s focus on strengthening border security and fulfilling his immigration promises.

Under Trump’s previous administration, the DHS experienced significant instability, with five different leaders in just four years. Only two of these were confirmed by the Senate. With a sprawling budget of $60 billion and a workforce of hundreds of thousands, the department’s leadership will be critical as Trump presses forward with his domestic policy priorities.

While Noem does not represent a border state, she has long held strong positions on immigration. Her hardline stance dates back to her 2010 run for Congress, when she supported an unsuccessful attempt by Senate Republicans to block an Obama administration lawsuit challenging an Arizona immigration law. As governor, she has also championed the punishment of sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, a position that aligns with Trump’s views on the issue.

Noem will now be responsible for overseeing DHS’s broad mandate, which includes agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Secret Service. This expansive portfolio will place her at the center of policy decisions on both immigration enforcement and national security.

Her tenure as governor of South Dakota has made her a prominent figure in conservative circles. Noem has embraced a governance style similar to Trump’s, particularly in her opposition to COVID-19 safety measures like mask mandates and business closures. She also attracted national attention for her defense of the Second Amendment, once stating at a National Rifle Association event that her two-year-old grandchild had multiple guns.

Additionally, Noem has been a fierce Trump supporter, offering her endorsement early in his 2024 re-election bid. She has participated in numerous strategy briefings with the Trump campaign and moderated a town hall event where Trump famously danced to music for over 30 minutes. However, she faced some political setbacks, including a controversial passage in her book, No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward. In the book, Noem revealed an incident where she killed her 14-month-old wirehair pointer dog, Cricket, after deeming the dog “untrainable.” While Noem defended the story as a lesson in tough decision-making, the revelation became a point of contention for some critics.

Despite these challenges, Noem remains a key figure in Trump’s political orbit. Her political alignment with the president, especially on issues like immigration and national security, has solidified her position as a trusted ally. As DHS Secretary, she will play a key role in shaping the administration’s response to ongoing security concerns, including border enforcement and emergency management, as well as in overseeing the department’s efforts to combat terrorism and safeguard the nation’s infrastructure.

Trump has repeatedly praised Noem, calling her a “terrific person,” and she was considered a top contender for the vice-presidential slot in 2024 before ultimately being passed over. While her appointment to lead DHS is a sign of Trump’s confidence in her leadership, it also underscores the continued importance of his immigration policies as central to his presidency. With Noem at the helm, Trump’s hardline stance on immigration is likely to remain a key focus of the Department of Homeland Security in the coming years.

This story has been updated with additional background information.