South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been chosen by Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security if he wins the presidency in 2024. This has raised some questions about her past actions and qualifications.
One concern is her history with a dog named Cricket, a German wirehaired pointer that she shot and killed in what appeared to be a moment of frustration over the dog’s behavior. On the same day, she also shot a goat. Some might wonder if these incidents could affect her nomination.
Another issue is her handling of flooding in McCook Lake, South Dakota, during spring 2023. While the Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA is part of the Homeland Security Department, Noem’s focus seemed to be more on out-of-state political events rather than the emergency at home.
Noem is known for her stubbornness and strong political messaging, which has helped her win every campaign she’s run. She might benefit from being compared to other controversial Trump nominees, such as Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services.
Despite some past controversies, Noem has a lot of political support, especially from Trump, and her home-state colleague, Senator John Thune, is expected to help her get confirmed. Many also think she may have her sights set on a future presidential run.
Noem’s political career includes serving in the U.S. House before becoming South Dakota’s first female governor. As governor, she has focused heavily on the southern border, often using strong language and taking dramatic actions, such as sending National Guard troops to the border and helping build sections of the border wall herself. Some wonder if these actions were meant to position her for the Homeland Security role.
While it’s unclear if Noem’s actions were all part of a long-term strategy, her qualifications for running a large department with critical security duties remain in question. However, if confirmed, it seems likely that she’ll be seen riding horseback along the southern border with border patrol agents by summer 2025.