Sen. Britt: Noem will “help strengthen our border security” as DHS head

Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt applauded the Senate’s confirmation of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as the new Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Saturday, saying she believes the appointment will lead to an end of “the abuse of our immigration laws.”

In a statement, Britt, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee, said Noem is committed to securing the nation’s borders and will return the agency to its “focus to true homeland security.”

Noem, a four-term congresswoman before becoming governor in 2019, was confirmed in a 59-34 vote. She will lead an agency crucial to President Donald Trump’s efforts to crack down on illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.

UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 20: Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., speaks during the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing titled "A Review of Disaster Funding Needs," in Dirksen building, on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag

Britt, also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed confidence that under Trump and border czar Tom Homan’s leadership, Noem will strengthen border security and interior immigration enforcement.

Seven Democrats joined all Senate Republicans in voting to confirm Noem, including Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Andy Kim of New Jersey, Gary Peters of Michigan, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan.

As Homeland Security Secretary, Noem will oversee U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and the DHS’s Office of Intelligence Analysis. The department also oversees the Secret Service, which has faced scrutiny following two recent attempts on Trump’s life.

While Noem has been vocal on border issues as governor, even sending the South Dakota National Guard to the southern border, Democrats have criticized her as a Trump loyalist and questioned her commitment to serious immigration reform.

Alex Floyd, rapid response director for the Democratic National Committee, suggested Noem will prioritize politics over border security.

“With Trump threatening to use disaster relief as a bargaining chip, Democrats will be relentless in holding a (Make America Great Again) MAGA loyalist like Noem accountable to put Americans’ safety and well-being first, not the President’s stunts,” Floyd said.

However, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, chair of the Republican Governors Association, praised Noem’s deep commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Americans by protecting the U.S.-Mexico border.

Kemp pledged that Republican governors stand with Trump and Noem to secure borders, prioritize national security, and keep families safe.

Noem’s confirmation came just hours after the narrow confirmation of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. Hegseth’s nomination came under scrutiny in recent months after allegations surfaced about sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse.

Britt said Hegseth appreciates Alabama’s importance to national defense and looks forward to working with him to maximize the state’s military installations and capabilities.

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