South Dakota governor Kristi Noem was confirmed as the USA’ new Secretary of Homeland Safety Saturday by vote of 59 to 34 within the Senate.
The affirmation was significantly much less dramatic than Friday’s 51-50 vote to verify former Fox Information host Pete Hegseth as protection secretary, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
Seven Democrats additionally voted to verify Noam: Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).
“I voted to verify Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Safety as a result of she has demonstrated that she’s keen to work collectively to sort out the challenges dealing with our nation. Whereas there are areas the place we disagree, I imagine she has the {qualifications} essential for the function,” Sen. Hassan mentioned in an X publish shortly after the vote.
As Secretary of Homeland Safety, Noem, 53, will oversee US Customs and Border Safety, US Secret Service, and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement amongst a number of different entities.
“Kristi has been very robust on border safety,” Trump mentioned when he introduced her as his decide in November. “She’s going to work carefully with ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan to safe the Border, and can assure that our American Homeland is safe from our adversaries.”
ICE has already begun finishing up deportation raids, together with one which netted a Haitian gang member who was taken away screaming “f–ok Trump, Biden ceaselessly!“
“Fixing this disaster and restoring respect for the rule of regulation is considered one of President Trump and Republicans’ prime priorities,” Sen John Thune, a fellow South Dakota Republican, and the Senate’s new majority chief, mentioned Friday. “And it’s going to require a decisive and dedicated chief on the Division of Homeland Safety. I imagine Kristi has every little thing it takes to undertake this job.”
Throughout her affirmation listening to, Noem — at one time thought-about a doable vice-president candidate for Trump — described border safety as a “prime precedence,” emphasised the necessity “honest and lawful immigration system” and vowed to present Border Patrol brokers the sources wanted to do their job.
And she or he promised to revive Trump’s Stay in Mexico coverage, and shutter the parole program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, which she mentioned offers migrants a free journey to the US, courtesy of Uncle Sam.
“There’s a number of of those packages that have to be eradicated, and we have to make sure that we’re following authorized immigration legal guidelines.”
Noem was extensively seen as one of many simpler Trump cupboard nominees.
The Senate additionally simply confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State earlier this week.
Additionally Saturday Scott Bessent, Trump’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, handed a procedural vote on his nomination, clearing the best way for his closing affirmation vote, which is predicted Monday
A procedural vote on Scott Bessent, Trump’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, can also be anticipated Saturday.
A Senate listening to for Tulsi Gabbard to be the following Director of Nationwide Intelligence is ready for Jan. 30, whereas hearings for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to function Well being and People Companies Secretary can also be upcoming.
With Publish Wires
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