Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem is an American politician who served as South Dakota governor from 2019 to 2025 and became U.S. secretary of homeland security in 2025.

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Donald Trump: Donald Trump is an American politician who served as the 45th and 47th president of the United States. Trump selected Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security in his second administration.
South Dakota governorship: The governor of South Dakota is the state's elected chief executive. Noem held this office for two terms, from 2019 through 2025.
South Dakota abortion law: South Dakota's abortion law prohibits most abortions, with a narrow exception for preserving the pregnant person's life. Noem signed a 2022 trigger law that made the state one of the strictest in the country.
South Dakota Republican Party: The South Dakota Republican Party is the state organization of the U.S. Republican Party. Noem rose through its electoral ranks and governed as a Republican.
Mike Rounds: Mike Rounds is an American politician who has represented South Dakota in the U.S. Senate since 2015. Rounds succeeded Noem as South Dakota governor after her 2018 election.
COVID-19 pandemic in South Dakota: The COVID-19 pandemic in South Dakota was the state's experience of the global coronavirus outbreak beginning in 2020. Noem drew national attention for resisting statewide mask mandates and lockdown orders.
Noem's account of killing her dog: The Kristi Noem dog controversy concerns her account of killing a young hunting dog described as untrainable. The 2024 account in her memoir prompted widespread criticism and political scrutiny.
South Dakota Democratic Party: The South Dakota Democratic Party is the state organization of the U.S. Democratic Party. It provides the principal partisan opposition to Noem's political coalition in the state.
South Dakota Legislature: The South Dakota Legislature is the state's bicameral lawmaking body, comprising a Senate and a House of Representatives. Noem served in its House of Representatives before entering Congress.
Keystone XL pipeline: Keystone XL was a proposed oil pipeline extension from Alberta, Canada, to Nebraska. Noem supported the project and pursued its development during her governorship.