Kristi Noem får grönt ljus av amerikanska senaten

Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem ( NOHM; née Arnold; born November 30, 1971) is an American politician who is designated to serve as the 8th United States secretary of homeland security, after being confirmed by the US Senate with a simple majority of 59-34 votes. She previously served as the 33rd governor of South Dakota since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she was the U.S. representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district from 2011 to 2019 and a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives for the 6th district from 2007 to 2011. In November 2024, Donald Trump selected Noem to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security in his second term. Noem became the first female governor of South Dakota when she was elected in 2018. During that election, President Donald Trump endorsed her. As governor, Noem emphasized health freedom, rising to national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic over her refusal to issue a statewide mandate to wear face masks, instead advocating for voluntary measures. South Dakota saw a drastic increase in COVID cases after the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, in which Noem participated. Living in rural South Dakota, Noem is also a farmer and a rancher. She has frequently highlighted her agricultural background as a foundation for her belief in self-reliance and limited government. She published her first autobiography, Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland, in 2022. Her second, No Going Back (2024), ignited controversy over her description of killing a young family dog. Her political views align with the Republican party and conservatives on most issues, including strong support for the right to carry guns.