Trump picks DHS nominee to face investigation into confirmation hearing over deportation and border plans

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South Dakota Gov. Kristy Noem heads to Capitol Hill on Friday for a confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Homeland Security — a hearing where border security and plans to launch a massive deportation campaign could take center stage.

President-elect Trump’s nominee to lead DHS will appear before the Senate Homeland Security Committee at 9 a.m. ET.

The governor has largely stayed out of the spotlight, with many controversial candidates drawing attention from politicians and the media. But if confirmed, she will play an important role in the next administration, involving the agency not only in border security, but also in cyber security, natural disaster response and terrorism.

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South Dakota Governor Kristy Noem speaks before former president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump takes the stage at the Buckeye Values ​​PAC Rally on March 16, 2024 in Vandalia, Ohio. (Kamil Krzyszczynski/AFP via Getty Images)

That broader role has been highlighted in recent days by the Los Angeles wildfires, where the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) played a key role in the response. The importance of FEMA was demonstrated during the hurricane late last year.

She is also involved in the cyber security battle, including the communist threat from China.

Dealing with natural disasters and cyber security are areas in which Noem has expertise. As governor, she banned TikTok from state-owned devices by 2022, citing the company’s ties to China. Separately, Dakota State University has one of the top cyber units in the country and cybersecurity is the fastest growing industry in South Dakota, an expansion that Noem has encouraged.

NOM has deep experience with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FMA) because the state has dealt with flooding, which was a record flood in the state in June.

A former congressman, Noem was elected governor of South Dakota in 2018 and won re-election in 2022.

What you need to know about Trump’s nominee to lead DHS, Christie Noem

But it could be border security, and Trump’s promises are about to launch a historic deportation campaign that will be included in any contentious exchanges.

Trump has argued that Noem’s nomination is “very strong” on border security.

Name, Trump

Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump listens as North Dakota Governor Kristy Noem speaks at the Buckeye Values ​​PAC Rally in Vandalia, Ohio, March 16, 2024. (Kamil Krzyszczynski/AFP via Getty Images)

“She will work closely with ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan to secure the border and ensure our American homeland is safe from our enemies. I have known Christie for many years and worked with her on many projects. Making America safe again is a big part of our mission,” Trump said.

“With Donald Trump, we will secure the border and restore the safety of American communities so that families can once again pursue the American dream,” Noam said.

Homan is charged with directing the deportations, while NOM oversees DHS agencies, including Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Democrats may choose to demand NoM in opposition to mass deportations, although many Democrats have shown openness to border security and legislation allowing ICE detention of some illegal immigrants — after a historic border crisis during the Biden administration, and a major issue in the 2024 election.

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Noem has previously supported a pause in accepting refugees from terrorist hotspots. As Governor, She also pledged to take in no immigrants from the Biden administration in 2021 and deploy the National Guard to the Texas border.

“My message Illegal immigrants It’s — call me when you’re American,” she said on Facebook in 2021.

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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., the new chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee; He told McClatchy. He believes there will be a quick confirmation of Noem, and that few Democrats will likely support her.

“I think the bar is so low that any attempt to reduce mass illegal immigration would be an improvement,” he said. I think they’re going to be very aggressive, not just her, but the entire (Trump) administration.