Trump 2.0: Who is Kristi Noem, the South Dakota Governor appointed as new Homeland Security secretary?

US President-elect Donald Trump has announced yet another name as Trump 2.0 continues to take shape ahead of the inauguration on 5 January. The latest to join the Trump administration is South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who will serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.



Noem, who was earlier this year considered one of the strong contenders to be named Trump's running mate, is the second female to be nominated by him for the upcoming administration. Earlier, Trump had nominated Susie Wiles, a long-time Republican strategist, as the first woman White House Chief of Staff.

Also read: Who is Susie Wiles, the first appointment of US President-elect as White House Chief of Staff?


The 52-year-old Noem is described as a rancher, farmer, small business owner, and New York Times bestselling author. In 2018, Noem made history when she was elected as South Dakota's first-ever female Governor. She was re-elected as South Dakota Governor in 2022.


It is widely believed that the controversial admissions she made in her book, No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward, in which she described in detail, how she once put down her 14-month-old dog, cost her the post of Trump's Vice President.


The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a key part of the US administration and, during Trump's first term in office, played a major role in the crackdown on illegal immigration to the country. The DHS, which is tasked with border security, immigration, and customs, among other responsibilities, is once again expected to have a significant role in Trump 2.0, which is widely anticipated to crack down on illegal immigration with more vigour than in Trump's first term in office.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.