Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kristi Noem
Discover the career path of Kristi Noem, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Kristi Noem is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security since 2025. She is in the second Trump presidency.
2006: Election to South Dakota House of Representatives
In 2006, Kristi Noem won a seat as a Republican in the South Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 6th district, winning with 39% of the vote.
2009: Vice Chair of Agriculture Land Assessment Advisory Task Force
In 2009, Kristi Noem served as vice chair of the Agriculture Land Assessment Advisory Task Force.
2010: Support for Ending Deepwater Drilling Moratorium
In 2010, Kristi Noem co-sponsored bills aimed at ending the United States deepwater drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico.
2010: Defeated Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
In 2010, Kristi Noem defeated incumbent Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, winning the election 48 to 46 percent.
2010: Won Republican Primary for U.S. House Seat
In 2010, Kristi Noem won the Republican primary for South Dakota's at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
March 8, 2011: Formation of KRISTI PAC
On March 8, 2011, Kristi Noem announced the formation of a leadership political action committee, KRISTI PAC.
March 2011: Criticism of Obama's Approach to Libyan Intervention
In March 2011, Kristi Noem criticized President Barack Obama's approach to the NATO-led military intervention in the 2011 Libyan civil war.
March 2011: Named NRCC Regional Director and Liaison to House Republican Leadership
In March 2011, Kristi Noem was named one of the 12 regional directors for the National Republican Congressional Committee, and the freshman class elected Noem as liaison to the House Republican leadership.
2012: Received B.A. in Political Science
In 2012, Kristi Noem obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in political science from South Dakota State University while serving as a U.S. Representative.
2015: Comparison to Indiana Bill
In 2015, Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed a similar bill into law, resembling the 2021 religious refusal bill signed by Noem.
November 14, 2016: Announcement of Gubernatorial Run
On November 14, 2016, Kristi Noem announced that she would run for governor of South Dakota in 2018.
February 2019: Concerns over Trade Wars
In February 2019, Noem voiced concerns that the Trump administration's trade wars with China and the European Union had devastated South Dakota's economy, particularly the agricultural sector.
October 1, 2019: Josh Shields Appointed Chief of Staff
On October 1, 2019, Josh Shields became Noem's chief of staff.
November 18, 2019: "Meth. We're on It" Campaign Launch
On November 18, 2019, Noem launched a meth awareness campaign called "Meth. We're on It", which faced widespread mockery and criticism due to its high cost ($449,000 of public funds) and the use of an out-of-state advertising agency.
2019: Concealed Handgun Permit Law
In 2019, Noem signed a bill into law that abolished South Dakota's permit requirement to carry a concealed handgun.
2019: Veto of Hemp Legalization Bill
In 2019, Noem vetoed a bill that had passed the South Dakota House and Senate to legalize hemp cultivation, expressing concerns about undermining drug law enforcement.
January 1, 2020: Josh Shields Leaves Position as Chief of Staff
On January 1, 2020, Josh Shields left his position as Noem's chief of staff.
March 2, 2020: Tony Venhuizen Appointed Chief of Staff
On March 2, 2020, Tony Venhuizen became Noem's chief of staff.
August 2020: RNC Speech
In August 2020, Noem was rewarded for her COVID-19 response with a speech at the Republican National Convention, elevating her national profile.
December 8, 2020: Acknowledgement of "Biden administration"
On December 8, 2020, Noem tacitly acknowledged the outcome of the election when she referred to a "Biden administration" during her annual state budget address.
2020: Opposition to Cannabis Legalization
In 2020, Noem opposed two ballot measures in South Dakota to legalize cannabis for medical and recreational use. She argued that cannabis use is detrimental and would not improve communities.
January 6, 2021: Condemnation of Capitol Violence
After the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, Noem condemned the violence, affirming the right to peaceful protest. She called the newly elected Democratic senators from Georgia, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, "communists" in an op-ed for The Federalist.
February 8, 2021: Amendment A Struck Down
On February 8, 2021, a circuit court judge deemed Amendment A, the measure legalizing recreational marijuana, as unconstitutional.
March 8, 2021: Women's Fairness in Sports Bill
On March 8, 2021, Noem announced on Twitter that she would sign into law H.B. 1217, the Women's Fairness in Sports Bill, banning transgender athletes from women's sports teams. Critics worried about potential economic repercussions for the state.
April 23, 2021: Aaron Scheibe Appointed Chief of Staff
On April 23, 2021, Aaron Scheibe became Noem's chief of staff, replacing Tony Venhuizen.
July 1, 2021: Medical Marijuana Legalization
Despite efforts to delay the implementation of medical marijuana, it became legal in South Dakota on July 1, 2021.
July 2021: Corrections Department Personnel Changes
In July 2021, Noem placed the Secretary of the Department of Corrections on administrative leave, and fired the State Penitentiary Warden and Deputy Warden, following complaints.
August 2021: Hiring of CGL Group and DOC Employee Actions
In August 2021, Noem announced that the CGL Group was hired to review the Department of Corrections operations, while the director of the prison work program was fired and two other DOC employees relieved of their duties.
November 12, 2021: Announced Re-election Campaign
On November 12, 2021, Kristi Noem announced she was running for reelection as governor.
November 19, 2021: Appointment of Mark Miller as Chief of Staff
On November 19, 2021, Noem appointed Mark Miller as her fifth chief of staff, replacing Aaron Scheibe.
December 2021: Support for Fairness in Women's Sports Act
In December 2021, Noem and her office showed support for a bill aimed to require young athletes to join teams that align with their biological sex at birth.
2021: Signing of Religious Refusal Bill
In 2021, Noem signed a religious refusal bill into law that amended the state's RFRA, allowing business owners to deny services based on religious beliefs related to sexual orientation or gender identity. Critics said the legislation would enable discrimination.
January 21, 2022: "Prayer Bill" Defeated
On January 21, 2022, the "prayer bill", HB 1015, which sought to reintroduce prayer in schools, was defeated in the House Education Committee.
February 1, 2022: House Democratic Minority Leader Announced Gubernatorial Run
On February 1, 2022, House Democratic Minority Leader Jamie Smith announced he was seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.
2022: Gun Range Proposal Rejected
In 2022, Noem's proposal to build a gun range in Meade County using government funds was rejected by the legislature.
September 2023: Endorsement of Trump for President
In September 2023, Noem endorsed Trump in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries at a rally in Rapid City, South Dakota.
September 2023: Willingness to be Trump's Running Mate
In September 2023, Noem stated on Newsmax that she would agree to serve as Trump's running mate "in a heartbeat".
February 2024: Tied for Top Choice for Trump's Running Mate at CPAC
At the February 2024 CPAC conference, Noem tied with Vivek Ramaswamy as attendees' top choice for Trump's running mate, each receiving 15% of the vote in a straw poll.
March 2024: On Trump's Shortlist for Running Mate
In March 2024, CNN reported that Noem was one of four people Trump had shown increased interest in selecting as his running mate.
April 2024: Diminished Odds of Being Trump's Running Mate
In April 2024, sources indicated that Noem's chances of being selected as Trump's running mate had decreased due to her abortion stance and the revelation about killing her dog and goat in her book.
November 12, 2024: Nomination for Secretary of Homeland Security
On November 12, 2024, President-elect Trump selected Noem to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security in his second term.
January 17, 2025: Confirmation Hearing
On January 17, 2025, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a confirmation hearing for her.
January 25, 2025: Sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security
After resigning as governor of South Dakota, on January 25, 2025, Noem was sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security.
January 28, 2025: Leading Raid on Illegal Immigrants
In the early morning of January 28, 2025, Noem led a raid on illegal immigrants in New York City with federal law enforcement agencies.
2025: Imagining Presidential Actions
In 2025, Noem imagined herself becoming president and expressed a desire to remove Joe Biden's dog, Commander, from the White House grounds, suggesting the dog be killed. The idea arose after Commander had bitten multiple individuals.
