If confirmed by the Senate, Noem would oversee the DHS, a 245,000-employee federal department whose mission is protecting the people of the United States. For context, the largest city in South Dakota is Sioux Falls, with 213,000 residents. South Dakota has a population of more than 800,000 residents.

Gov. Kristi Noem’s handling of several key issues in South Dakota offers a lens into how she may manage her sprawling responsibilities at the Department of Homeland Security.

Noem was widely ridiculed for admitting she shot and killed her family dog in her book published earlier this year.

Donald Trump tapped South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head the Department of Homeland Security, but some residents back home doubt she's qualified to keep the nation safe. The Republican governor's handling of several key issues in her home state prompted some residents to express doubts that she could successfully manage the sprawling bureaucracy

President-elect Donald Trump has selected South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as his next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, according to two people familiar with the selection.

Having served as South Dakota governor since 2019, Kristi Noem is a loyal Trump ally and would help oversee his immigration crackdown in a second term. She was also in consideration for Trump’s running mate before early excerpts of her book revealed she killed her hunting dog 20 years ago.