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- Kristi Noem confirmed as secretary of homeland security (newsbreak.com)
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been confirmed as the new Secretary of Homeland Security. The Senate voted 59-34 in favor of Noem, making her the fourth cabinet member confirmed under the current administration. Pete Hegseth was confirmed as Defense Secretary just hours before.
In a statement, Secretary Noem pledged to prioritize the safety and security of Americans. She emphasized empowering law enforcement, removing individuals from the country who are here illegally, and bolstering counterterrorism efforts. She also committed to providing swift disaster relief.
Noem expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and echoed the President’s focus on border security and immigration reform. She reiterated her belief that the southern border is not secure and promised to address the issue. She highlighted her past actions as governor, including sending National Guard troops to the border.
During her confirmation hearing, Noem stated her intention to support Border Patrol agents and ensure they have the necessary resources. She also referenced shutting down a specific app used by migrants to schedule asylum appointments at the border, a move she had previously promised to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
As Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem will oversee 22 agencies and more than 260,000 employees, handling responsibilities ranging from border security and disaster management to the Secret Service. She cited the need for reforms within the Secret Service and pledged to draw upon her experience working with her own gubernatorial security detail.
Noem emphasized her commitment to implementing reforms without political bias, including in the area of disaster relief. She affirmed that she would administer programs according to the law and without political influence.
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- Kristi Noem confirmed as secretary of homeland security (newsbreak.com)