Kristi Noem, nominated for Homeland Security Secretary, calls for enhanced interagency collaboration to combat domestic terrorism during her confirmation hearing.
At a Glance
- Noem emphasizes the need for DHS to work closely with CISA, FBI, and CIA
- She prioritizes efforts to prevent domestic terrorism and counter antisemitism
- Noem advocates for improved coordination between federal and state/local governments
- She identifies the southern border as the primary threat to homeland security
- Noem plans to eliminate the CBP One app while maintaining critical data
Noem’s Vision for Homeland Security
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security, presented her vision for national security during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee. Noem emphasized the critical role of DHS in addressing 21st-century threats, particularly in securing borders against illegal trafficking and immigration.
In her opening statement, Noem underscored the importance of interagency collaboration in combating domestic terrorism. She called for greater cooperation between DHS, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to form a cohesive national security strategy.
Noem committed to prioritizing efforts to prevent domestic terrorism and counter antisemitism, acknowledging the rise in antisemitic violence across the country. She emphasized the need for resources, coordination, and collaboration across all levels of government to address these threats effectively.
“We must remain vigilant against terrorism and against others who wish to do harm to our Country and its great people. I will ensure that our intelligence and law enforcement agencies are working together, hand-in-hand, fully equipped to detect, prevent, and respond to threats from radical ideologies or foreign adversaries. This requires resources, coordination, and collaboration across all levels of government. Once again, I will seek your wisdom and your input in the months ahead. For the sake of the people we both represent, we must get this right,” Noem said.
Noem also highlighted her experience in addressing antisemitism at the state level, mentioning legislation she introduced in South Dakota to more clearly define and combat this issue.
Border Security and Immigration
During the hearing, Noem identified the southern border as the primary threat to homeland security. She cited instances of individuals on the terrorist watch list crossing the border, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue. Noem’s stance aligns with the Trump administration’s planned immigration policy changes, which include enforcing stricter border rules, reducing refugee admissions, and increasing deportations.
“As we face the evolving threats of the 21st century, the mission and the success of DHS is more critical than ever. We must be vigilant and proactive and innovative to protect the homeland. The challenges in front of us are extremely significant, and we must secure our borders against illegal trafficking and immigration,” Noem added.
In response to questions about the CBP One app, currently used to facilitate faster processing of migrants, Noem stated her intention to eliminate the app while maintaining critical data. This move signals a shift in approach to border management under her potential leadership.
Noem also promised to improve coordination between DHS and state/local governments, addressing concerns raised by senators about communication gaps. She acknowledged past issues in information sharing, particularly regarding refugee resettlement, and committed to enhancing transparency in the vetting process.
“The communication between states and the federal government has been absolutely broken. When they were bringing refugees into the country, I as well communicated that to the federal government. They were bringing refugees and I asked how they were vetted, how we were working with their home countries to find out who they really were, what their intentions were and why they were coming to the United States,” Kristi Noem said.
Noem wasn’t taken seriously by a lot of Republicans, but she’s certainly proving that she deserves to be taken seriously now.
