South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s ascension to Homeland Security secretary-in-waiting came as a surprise in some quarters. After all, the former member of Congress hasn’t worked in the department and doesn’t have a law enforcement background.
But she benefited from the support of two of Donald Trump’s key advisers: his 2016 campaign chief Corey Lewandowski, and his incoming Border Czar Tom Homan. Both advocated for her nomination and helped seal the deal, according to two people familiar with Noem’s selection granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations.
Outside allies viewed Noem’s elevation as further indication that the administration’s immigration policy will be run out of the White House by Homan and Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser. Noem, with her limited experience in the policy area, could then focus her attention on the numerous other agencies within DHS, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Transportation Security Administration and Secret Service.
“The only thing I could think of is that the immigration part of DHS is basically going to be handled out of the White House, and she’ll be secretary of FEMA, TSA, Secret Service, cybersecurity — kind of an unofficial division of labor,” said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a group that pushes for less legal immigration and stricter enforcement of immigration laws.
Homan will work closely with Noem’s team at DHS. He formerly helmed the DHS agency responsible for arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants, and was one of Trump’s most visible immigration surrogates on the campaign trail. Before Election Day, he was rumored to be a contender for DHS secretary but instead took a White House role working on border security and deportations — a position that does not require Senate confirmation and could have more flexible responsibilities.
