Noem
Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem ( NOHM; née Arnold; born November 30, 1971) is an American politician who has served since 2025 as the eighth United States secretary of homeland security. A member of the Republican Party, she served from 2019 to 2025 as the 33rd governor of South Dakota and represented South Dakota's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019.
Born in Watertown, South Dakota, Noem began her political career in the South Dakota House of Representatives, serving from 2007 to 2011. Noem was elected as the first female governor of South Dakota in 2018 with the endorsement of President Donald Trump. She gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for opposing statewide mask mandates in favor of voluntary measures. Noem has conservative positions on most domestic issues, particularly gun rights, abortion, and immigration. During her tenure as Secretary of Homeland Security, her immigration policies generated significant controversy.
Noem is a farmer, rancher, and member of the Civil Air Patrol. She has published two autobiographies, Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland (2022) and No Going Back (2024), the latter of which sparked controversy for its account of her killing a young family dog and false claims about meeting with foreign leaders. Donald Trump nominated her as his secretary of homeland security. She was confirmed by a Senate vote of 59–34, and was sworn in on January 25, 2025.
After federal agents killed Renée Good and Alex Pretti in January 2026, some lawmakers questioned Noem's judgment, and some called for her resignation or impeachment. After reports emerged of her relationship with the political operative Corey Lewandowski and her use of government funding on television advertisements and private luxury jets, criticism mounted from Congress and Trump. In March 2026, Noem appeared before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Her testimony before the committee intensified Trump's dissatisfaction with her. That month, Trump replaced Noem and announced that Oklahoma senator Markwayne Mullin would succeed her, nominating him to the position. Noem is set to leave her position on March 31.
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