What to Expect at Kristi Noem’s Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Homeland Security

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks in Burlingame, Calif., on May 18, 2024. John Fredricks /The Epoch Times

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, will likely face questions on her qualifications and how she intends to close the U.S. southern border and deport millions of illegal immigrants.

The DHS encompasses Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Border Patrol, and several other agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Noem’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Jan. 17.

Some political observers were surprised by Noem’s nomination, questioning whether she has the necessary experience.

Noem’s background includes serving in the South Dakota State Legislature (2007-11) and the U.S. House of Representatives (2011-18), where she joined the House Armed Services and Agriculture committees. She returned to South Dakota as the state’s first female governor in 2019 and was elected to a second term in 2022. She has been a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment.

Her alliance with Trump and reputation as a border hawk have made her popular among Republicans.

Noem, seen as a potential 2024 presidential candidate, made the border crisis a focal point during her tenure as governor.

Some 11 million illegal immigrants are believed to have entered the country during the Biden Administration, leading to reported increases in crime and drug trafficking.

With polls indicating that securing the border was a top issue for voters, Trump made it a centerpiece of his 2024 bid to return to the White House. He vowed to secure the border and launch one of the largest deportation operations in U.S. history if elected.

Noem sent South Dakota National Guard troops to Texas five times as it struggled to deal with the millions of illegal immigrants crossing its border with Mexico.

She was the first to deploy guardsmen to the U.S. southern border almost four years ago at the request of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

In January 2024, when announcing the latest guard deployment to Texas in a joint session of the state Legislature, Noem criticized mass migration under the Biden administration.

If confirmed in her new post, Noem would have a role in carrying out Trump’s immigration-related policies.

She would potentially work with Tom Homan, Trump’s incoming border czar, to remove millions of illegal immigrants, starting with convicted or wanted criminals and those with existing deportation orders.

Securing the Border

Noem would be responsible for executing Trump’s expected use of executive orders to secure the border to keep out illegal immigration, criminal cartels, and fentanyl trafficking.

Trump associates have indicated Title 42, the public health policy he used for deportations during the COVID-19 pandemic, could be reinstated to quickly expel migrants at the border. In order to do that, a health threat would need to be identified.

Another policy Trump will likely reinstate is Remain in Mexico, which would keep asylum seekers in Mexico while they await hearings on their applications.

On Jan. 16, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing on the legality of reinstating that policy and passed a resolution, mainly along party lines, that the U.S. president has the authority to immediately secure the border under laws already in place.

Trump has also floated the idea of declaring a national emergency over the border crisis, using the military to help with deportation logistics, and expanding 287(g) agreements, which allow state and local law enforcement to assist ICE.

Civil Rights

At her confirmation hearing, Noem could also face questions about protecting civil rights when enforcing Trump’s border and deportation policies.

Of particular concern to Democrats was Trump’s past policy that they said separated families crossing illegally at the border.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, criticized the policy. After meeting with Noem, he said her responses to Trump policy questions lacked specifics.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticized Noem for her “war-zone rhetoric” in supporting the Texas governor’s declaration of an “invasion” when referring to unlawful crossings from Mexico into Texas.

The ACLU said that the Senate should press Noem on whether she favors using “militarized immigration raids” in communities with a large population of foreign nationals and building “large scale” deportation camps—both talking points frequently brought up by Democrats against Trump’s deportation plan.

Noem appears to have solid support from Senate Republicans and isn’t expected to run into serious opposition during the confirmation process.

After meeting with her earlier this month, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) praised Noem’s advocacy for securing the border and countering the current administration’s “dangerous open borders policies.”

New Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), and Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) will introduce Noem at the hearing.