(NewsNation) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security is drawing attention to her border security experience despite her state’s distance from the southern border.
Noem has been a consistent ally to GOP Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s border initiatives since July 2021, deploying South Dakota resources, including engineering units, to assist with border wall construction.
“We’ve been down here helping Texas build border [barriers]. It’s working. It’s keeping illegals out where we’re able to get it up,” Noem said during a visit to the Del Rio Sector in May. “We think that our country is in danger because we have seen these cartels move.”
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Abbott endorsed Noem’s appointment on social media, calling her a “border hawk” who has worked alongside him to secure the Texas border.
Local law enforcement officials along the southern border have praised Noem’s engagement, noting her understanding of how the border crisis affects landowners and communities. The appointment comes as the Texas Department of Public Safety conducts mass migration response exercises at key border locations.
Noem was previously floated as a possible running mate for Trump, but her consideration fizzled after the release of her autobiography, in which she described having killed a dog that was “untrainable.”
Instead, the Republican governor is tapped to lead the sprawling agency tasked with protecting the U.S. from terror threats, securing the borders and enforcing U.S. immigration law. Trump has also tasked DHS with carrying out the “largest deportation operation in American history.”
The pick of Noem is the latest sign of Trump’s intention to take a hard line on immigration policy, with an agenda he has said will represent the largest deportation in U.S. history.
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If confirmed, Noem would work closely with Stephen Miller, whom Trump tapped to serve as his deputy chief of staff for policy. Miller was instrumental in shaping many of Trump’s toughest immigration policies in his first term.
With former ICE Director Tom Homan named as “border czar,” Border Patrol agents expect him to handle day-to-day border operations while Noem oversees broader DHS responsibilities, including the Secret Service and FEMA.
“He’s picking someone that’s on the team that’s intelligent and could get the job done,” said Art Del Cueto, vice president of the National Border Patrol Council. “I’m not upset… but it was surprising because I hadn’t heard her name.”
Noem also supported Trump’s Muslim travel ban while serving as a member of Congress and also supported pausing some refugee screening.
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“I share the President’s concerns about our ability to screen refugees—especially those from terrorist hotbed areas,” Noem said in 2017. “I support putting a temporary pause on accepting refugees from terrorist-held areas—at least until the administration can certify that asylum-seekers do not present a safety threat to the U.S.”
The nomination comes as the House Homeland Security Committee prepares for a hearing next week featuring current DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, focusing on global threats and potential impeachment. Mayorkas was previously impeached by the House but not convicted by the Senate.
NewsNation partner The Hill contributed to this report.
