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The US Senate has voted to nominate Christie Noem as Homeland Security secretary as Donald Trump moves to quickly implement his promises on illegal immigration.
The upper house of Congress voted 59-34 to confirm South Dakota’s governor to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
In his first week in the White House, the president signed executive orders declaring a national emergency along the US-Mexico border and ending the US refugee resettlement program.
It also restricted birthright citizenship, but the move was temporarily halted by a federal court that ruled it unconstitutional. Trump has vowed to appeal the order.
“Border security must be a priority,” NOM said at her confirmation hearing last week. “As a nation, we have the right and responsibility to enforce our borders against those who might harm us.”
Noem’s confirmation comes after the Senate confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. Pete Hegsett As defense secretary, one of the president’s most controversial picks.
As Homeland Security secretary, Noem oversees the Secret Service, which has come under scrutiny after two assassination attempts on Trump last year, one of which injured his ear.
During her confirmation hearing, Noem said the Secret Service “needs serious reform.”
She added: “We all saw the consequences of the threats and fallout against (President) Trump last year.”
NoM’s autobiography, about how she accidentally shot her puppy with a cricket, became a national conversation last year.
