President-elect Donald Trump is expected to make some key nominations for his incoming administration, with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem being tapped as the nominee for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. This decision, reported by CNN, comes as Trump announces a series of nominations for top roles in his administration.
Noem, a Republican governor, was previously considered as a potential running mate for Trump. However, her political future came under scrutiny after the release of her new book, where she detailed a controversial story about killing her dog decades ago. This revelation sparked intense criticism and raised questions about her credibility, especially in light of other claims she made about meeting Kim Jong Un.
At 52 years old, Noem is currently serving her second term as governor of South Dakota. She gained national attention for her refusal to implement a mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming the first woman to hold the governorship in the state when she took office in 2019.
Trump’s transition team has been busy announcing nominees and appointments following his victory in the 2024 election. While Tom Homan’s name was initially floated for the DHS secretary position, Trump decided to appoint him as the “border czar” instead. Chad Wolf, the former acting DHS Secretary in Trump’s first administration, was also considered a top contender for the role.
The announcement of Noem’s nomination adds to the growing list of individuals set to join Trump’s cabinet. With the transition discussions in full swing, the president-elect is working to finalize his team before the inauguration.
As Trump continues to shape his administration, the political landscape is evolving rapidly. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest developments in the transition process.