PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Kristi Noem, who made history six years ago when voters elected her as South Dakota’s first female governor, says she has accepted President Trump’s offer to be the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security because it’s an opportunity to make the nation and South Dakota safer.
The Republican governor explained the decision in the weekly column her office sent to news outlets on Friday afternoon. While Trump is seeking to go around the standard U.S. Senate confirmation process for some of his Cabinet nominees by making what are known as recess appointments, Noem says she welcomes the traditional treatment.
“I respect the Senate’s role to engage fully and openly on the upcoming confirmation process. I look forward to discussing our nation’s security challenges and my commitment to addressing them head-on,” she says in the column.
Her statements came after U.S. Senator John Thune of South Dakota was chosen on Wednesday as the next Senate Republican leader.
Earlier on Friday, KELOLAND News requested an interview with the Republican governor. Her office hadn’t responded as of Saturday morning.
In the interview, we hope to learn from the governor what President Trump has told her that he expects for the Department of Homeland Security; whether she has reviewed the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 chapter calling for major changes there including breaking up the department and her views on it; and whether there are any other models she would intend to use.
Her running mate, Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden, would become governor if Noem resigns to accept the federal post. We also hope to learn from the interview whether there have been been discussions about when the transition to a new Rhoden administration would take place, and if so, what is the timetable; and whether her communications director, Ian Fury, will accompany Noem to Washington, D.C.
The Legislature opens its 2025 session on January 14. Rhoden, because he is lieutenant governor, serves as the South Dakota Senate president. President Trump meanwhile must wait until January 20 to begin his second term. It’s not yet clear how Noem will negotiate those different schedules.
The Legislature’s two chambers also would need to confirm a new lieutenant governor after Rhoden becomes governor.
Noem hasn’t said publicly when she plans to wave a final goodbye as governor to become the next Homeland Security secretary.
The governor and her husband, Bryon Noem were spotted among the fans at the Watertown-Pierre 11AA football championship game at the USD Dakotadome in Vermillion on Friday night.
“Everything that I do will be focused on making America SAFE again, and that will make South Dakota safer, as well,” Noem’s column concluded. “This state has been home all my life – and always will be. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve you. I’ll be around for a bit yet, and when I take my new role, rest assured that I will continue to serve you in the years to come.”
