Senate Majority Leader John Thune kept everyone in the Capitol all weekend to get President Trump's key cabinet appointees confirmed. One of those individuals, former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, was finally confirmed as DHS Secretary on Saturday in order for her to begin work today (Monday). Her job will be enormous as DHS encompasses a lot of federal agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service.
Ken Valentine served 24 years with that agency, including 10 years with the Presidential Protection detail. He cites the governor's understanding of what it takes to run a state as a plus.
"I do think that the experience of being a governor, the well-rounded part of having to govern a state, is a good precursor to coming into big-time federal service," Valentine tells AFN. "My hope is that having that experience leads her to do more of the same things that made her a success in state government and do it also at federal government."
The homeland security secretary oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Citizenship and Immigration Services. Beyond those agencies, the department is also responsible for securing airline transportation, protecting dignitaries, responding to natural disasters and more.
The former SS agent has some advice for now-Secretary Noem.
"I would say lift your hand off of some of these agencies – let them do their job but give them direction. Tell the Border Patrol to secure the border. Tell ICE to get rid of people who are here illegally. And tell the Secret Service – regardless of where you find yourself or who you answer to – do your job and make protection your primary function."
Noem was confirmed on a 59-34 vote. She received seven votes from Democrats. Seven senators (five Democrats, one Republican, and one Independent) did not vote.
Other cabinet nominees confirmed thus far are Pete Hegseth (Secretary of Department of Defense), John Ratcliffe (Director of the CIA), and Marco Rubio (Secretary of State).
