South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s unexpected rise to the role of Homeland Security Secretary-in-Waiting is marked by a blend of political alliances and a strategic division of labor.
Despite her lack of direct experience in homeland security or law enforcement, Noem earned the backing of influential Trump advisors, such as campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and Border Czar Tom Homan, who pushed for her nomination.
This support, alongside her alignment with Trump’s immigration policies, played a key role in her selection.
One key aspect of her appointment is the delegation of immigration policy. It’s anticipated that Trump’s team, including Homan and Stephen Miller, will manage the immigration component from the White House, while Noem will oversee other Homeland Security areas like FEMA, TSA, and the Secret Service.
This arrangement may reduce the direct responsibility Noem has over immigration but potentially sets the stage for tension over jurisdiction between DHS and White House officials.
Noem’s governance of South Dakota, including handling state-level emergencies like floods, and her proactive stance on cybersecurity, especially her ban on TikTok, are seen as her main areas of expertise.
While concerns about her experience with presidential protection and natural disasters remain, her reliance on Trump’s key figures in shaping policy direction could mitigate these gaps, although questions about the power dynamics within DHS remain.
Her views on immigration, shaped by her actions as governor—like deploying National Guard troops to the border—align her with the Trump administration’s tough stance on border security.
This background may help her navigate the complex landscape of DHS, but with potential friction regarding her limited experience in other vital areas of the department, particularly the Secret Service.