Gov. Kristi Noem is officially part of President Donald Trump’s cabinet.
The Senate confirmed Noem’s nomination for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Saturday in a 59 to 34 vote.
The DHS is the third-largest cabinet department with more than 260,000, according to the department’s website.
In her role, Noem will oversee federal response to natural disasters through FEMA as well as anti-terrorism efforts.
And, likely the most politically charged aspect of her position – border security.
Trump made securing the southern border a pillar of his campaign. The president is promising to deport “millions” of people who are not in the country legally, a task in which Noem now plays a key role.
To take that role, Noem must resign her seat as South Dakota’s governor. Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden will be the state’s 34th governor.
