South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to Head U.S. Department of Homeland Security Under President Trump

Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota, is set to take on the role of Secretary of Homeland Security in the administration of newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump. Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed the appointment to Reuters on Tuesday.

Noem had been considered as a potential running mate for Trump in the lead-up to the election. In 2022, she won re-election in a landslide to secure a second term as South Dakota’s governor. She gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for opposing mask mandates in her state.

In April, Noem faced significant backlash after revealing in a memoir that she had shot and killed an “unruly” dog on her property.

Reuters reached out to both Trump’s campaign and Noem’s office for comment on her potential appointment, but did not receive a response from either party.

The Department of Homeland Security oversees a broad range of critical national issues, including public safety, border protection, immigration, and disaster management. The U.S. Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the president, also falls under this department’s jurisdiction.

Trump, who will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, has already begun assembling his administration, starting with the announcement of his campaign co-chair, Suzy Wiles, as White House Chief of Staff.

Trump has also named Tom Homan as the head of immigration enforcement and selected New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as his nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Earlier reports suggested that Florida Senator Marco Rubio is set to be appointed Secretary of State, while fellow Florida Senator Michael Waltz could be named National Security Advisor. Longtime Trump ally Lee Zeldin is expected to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).