Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security
Last updated: 21 November 2025
Summary
Kristi Noem serves as Secretary of Homeland Security in the second administration of Donald J. Trump. Her combination of rural, small-business identity, conservative ideological positioning and national media presence has shaped how she approaches one of the most complex and politically sensitive federal departments. As the head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Noem oversees immigration enforcement, border operations, cybersecurity, counterterrorism coordination, maritime security, emergency response and other key missions that fall within the department’s broad mandate. Her time in the role has been defined by high-visibility enforcement initiatives, a confrontational communication style and several controversies that have sparked debate over her leadership and qualifications.
Background and Rise
Kristi Noem was born in 1971 in Watertown, South Dakota, and raised on her family’s ranch and farm. After her father died in a farming accident, she became deeply involved in the family business, an experience that she presents as central to her political worldview. Noem entered state politics in 2007, winning election to the South Dakota House of Representatives. In 2010 she ran for and won South Dakota’s at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served until 2019. During this period she established herself as a conservative voice aligned with the Tea Party movement and later with Trump’s first administration.
In 2018 Noem became the first female governor of South Dakota. Her governorship drew national attention during the Covid-19 pandemic when she opposed lockdowns and mask mandates and promoted a message of personal freedom over public health regulation. She appeared frequently in conservative media and cultivated a national brand that blended rural identity with populist messaging. This visibility, along with strong political alignment with Trump, positioned her for a cabinet role following the 2024 election.
Trump nominated Noem to lead DHS, an appointment that signalled a more politically combative approach to the department. She was confirmed by the Senate, officially assuming responsibility for one of the government’s largest and most consequential agencies.
Role and Influence in the Administration
As Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem oversees more than 260,000 employees across key agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The department’s missions range from disaster relief and transportation security to immigration enforcement, cybersecurity monitoring and national protection against domestic and international threats.
Noem has made border security and immigration enforcement the defining issues of her tenure. She regularly travels to the southern border, participates in high-profile enforcement briefings and frames the department’s role as central to restoring national sovereignty. Her rhetoric emphasises border control as both a security and economic issue, linking migration to labour markets, drug trafficking and supply-chain vulnerability.
Within DHS, Noem has pursued internal restructuring aimed at consolidating authority, reducing administrative layers and redirecting resources toward frontline agencies. Her supporters view these actions as improving efficiency and sharpening the department’s focus. Critics argue that the reorganisations risk hollowing out vital administrative capacities and weakening oversight, particularly in areas such as civil rights compliance, FEMA coordination and cybersecurity planning.
Noem also uses a media-driven communication style unusual for previous DHS leaders. She frequently releases video messages from field locations, hosts televised briefings featuring DHS tactical units and frames her work as part of a broader cultural struggle over national identity. This approach has earned her praise from conservative audiences but criticism from others who see the department’s work as too sensitive for political performance.
Policy Priorities and Orientation
Immigration and Border Security
Noem has rescinded temporary protections for several migrant populations, expanded enforcement operations in major U.S. cities and increased cooperation with states that support aggressive immigration measures. She argues that tightening border controls is essential to preventing cartel activity, combating fentanyl trafficking and reducing strain on public services.
Homeland Security Streamlining
She has ordered audits of contracts, suspended or cancelled various programs and promised to reduce DHS’s administrative footprint. This includes shifting personnel into Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and cutting or merging offices she views as insufficiently related to the department’s core mission.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Although less publicly emphasised, Noem’s DHS has faced continued pressures on cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection. She has called for stronger coordination with private-sector partners and increased intelligence sharing regarding international cyberthreats.
Use of Media to Frame National Security
Noem frequently blends cultural, ideological and security themes in her public messaging. Critics argue this politicises U.S. homeland security functions; supporters say her approach boosts transparency and energises the public.
Controversies and Criticism
Kristi Noem’s tenure has been accompanied by a range of controversies.
Conflicts with Native American Nations
Several Native American tribes banned Noem from reservations after she repeatedly accused tribal leaders of enabling cartel activity on tribal land. Tribal governments denounced the accusation as inflammatory and unsupported. The conflict has raised questions about her ability to manage sensitive domestic relationships that intersect with homeland security concerns.
Dog and Goat Shooting Memoir Controversy
Noem’s memoir recounting the killing of a family dog and a goat attracted widespread condemnation. Critics argued the story demonstrated alarming judgment and unnecessary cruelty. The episode dominated national coverage and damaged her standing even among some conservative voters.
Civil Liberties and Deportation Practices
Immigrant-rights groups accuse DHS under Noem of violating civil-rights norms, mishandling asylum claims and conducting operations designed more for political messaging than effective enforcement. Multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging aspects of her policies.
Ethics Questions
Press investigations have raised questions about incomplete financial disclosures and contracts awarded to firms with ties to her political network. Ethics experts argue that such connections could undermine trust in DHS procurement integrity.
Public Missteps
During a Senate hearing, Noem incorrectly defined habeas corpus, suggesting the president could suspend it at will. Legal scholars described the mistake as concerning for a cabinet official charged with overseeing enforcement agencies.
Public Image and Outlook
Kristi Noem is one of the most polarising cabinet members in the second Trump administration. Her supporters praise her forceful leadership style, patriotic rhetoric and aggressive immigration agenda. Her critics cite the controversies that follow her, arguing that her handling of homeland security tasks risks undermining constitutional safeguards, tribal relations and international partnerships.
Her future influence will depend on measurable results in border security, internal coordination across DHS, and the legal durability of her enforcement strategies. Observers also note that her national profile, bolstered by media-centric communication, positions her as a potential contender for future federal office beyond her current cabinet role.
Sources
Department of Homeland Security — “Kristi Noem”
Department of Homeland Security — “Secretary of Homeland Security”
Louisiana Illuminator — “Kristi Noem confirmed as U.S. Homeland Security secretary”
The Guardian — “Kristi Noem: the made for TV official executing Trump’s mass deportations”
Associated Press — “Senate confirms Noem as Trump’s homeland security secretary”
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