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 who has served as the 8th United States Secretary of Homeland Security since 2025. A Republican, she previously served as the 33rd Governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025. Prior to her governorship, Noem represented South Dakota's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. Her career has been marked by roles in both the executive and legislative branches of government.
2006: Elected to South Dakota House
In 2006, Kristi Noem won a seat as a Republican in the South Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 6th district, with 39% of the vote.
2007: Served in South Dakota House of Representatives
From 2007, Kristi Noem served in the South Dakota House of Representatives.
2008: Re-elected to South Dakota House
In 2008, Kristi Noem was reelected to the South Dakota House of Representatives with 41% 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: Ending the deepwater drilling moratorium
In 2010, Kristi Noem supported ending the 2010 United States deepwater drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico .
2010: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 2010, Kristi Noem was elected to South Dakota's at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
2010: End of time at South Dakota House of Representatives
In 2010, Kristi Noem's time in the South Dakota House of Representatives ended.
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: Named Regional Director for NRCC
In March 2011, Republican Representative Pete Sessions of Texas named Kristi Noem one of the 12 regional directors for the National Republican Congressional Committee during the 2012 election campaign.
2011: U.S. House Representative
In 2011, Kristi Noem began representing South Dakota's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House, a position she held until 2019.
2011: End of time at South Dakota House of Representatives
In 2011, Kristi Noem finished serving at South Dakota House of Representatives.
2011: Debt Ceiling Vote
In 2011, Kristi Noem indicated she would vote to raise the federal debt ceiling only if tied to budget reforms. She ultimately voted for S. 365, The Budget Control Act of 2011.
2012: Bachelor of Arts Degree
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.
2012: 2012 election campaign
In 2012, Kristi Noem was one of the 12 regional directors for the National Republican Congressional Committee.
2013: House Armed Services Committee
From 2013, Kristi Noem served on the House Armed Services Committee.
2014: Worked on National Defense Authorization Act
In 2014, Kristi Noem worked on the National Defense Authorization Act as a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
2015: End of time at House Armed Services Committee
In 2015, Kristi Noem finished serving on the House Armed Services Committee.
November 2016: Announced Gubernatorial Run
In November 2016, Kristi Noem announced she would run for governor of South Dakota in 2018 rather than seek reelection to Congress.
2017: Negotiated Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
In 2017, Kristi Noem was on the conference committee that negotiated the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which she touted as giving the average South Dakota family a $1,200 tax cut.
2018: Online Sales Tax Bill
In 2018, Kristi Noem pitched the idea to attach her online sales tax bill to the government funding package as part of an omnibus.
2018: First Female Governor of South Dakota
In 2018, Kristi Noem was elected as the first female governor of South Dakota.
2018: Elected as Governor
In 2018, Kristi Noem was elected as the governor of South Dakota.
2018: Government Transparency Platform
While running for governor in 2018, Kristi Noem made government transparency part of her platform.
January 5, 2019: Sworn in as Governor
On January 5, 2019, Kristi Noem was sworn in as governor of South Dakota, becoming the first woman in that office in the state.
October 1, 2019: Josh Shields Departs as Chief of Staff
On October 1, 2019, Josh Shields ended his service as Kristi Noem's chief of staff.
2019: Governor of South Dakota
In 2019, Kristi Noem began her service as the 33rd Governor of South Dakota, a position she held until 2025.
2019: Participated in U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program
In 2019, Kristi Noem consented to South Dakota's participation in the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program following a Trump executive order that allowed state and local governments to opt out.
2019: End of time at U.S. House of Representatives
In 2019, Kristi Noem finished serving in Congress.
2019: Concealed Handgun Permit Abolished
In 2019, Kristi Noem signed a bill into law that abolished South Dakota's permit requirement to carry a concealed handgun.
January 1, 2020: Josh Shields Departs as Chief of Staff
On January 1, 2020, Josh Shields's tenure as Kristi Noem's chief of staff concluded.
March 2, 2020: Tony Venhuizen Appointed Chief of Staff
On March 2, 2020, Tony Venhuizen became Kristi Noem's chief of staff.
March 13, 2020: Noem orders K-12 schools to close
On March 13, 2020, Kristi Noem ordered K-12 schools to close in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This action was taken to mitigate the spread of the virus among students and staff.
April 6, 2020: Noem issues executive order and stay-at-home recommendation
On April 6, 2020, Kristi Noem issued an executive order that said people "shall" follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She also ordered everyone over age 65 in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties to stay home for three weeks. This was part of the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 9, 2020: Inspectors allowed to wear masks with permission
On April 9, 2020, the Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that its inspectors would be allowed to wear masks if the meatpacking plants' owners gave permission. Inspectors were expected to supply their own masks. This occurred during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 13, 2020: Noem comments on Smithfield outbreak
On April 13, 2020, regarding the COVID-19 outbreak at a Smithfield pork plant, Kristi Noem told Fox News, "We believe that 99 percent of what's going on today wasn't happening inside the facility". This statement came as hundreds of workers had tested positive at the plant, downplaying the spread within the workplace.
April 2020: Peters receives an Agreed Disposition
Around March/April 2020, Kassidy Peters received an Agreed Disposition concerning her application for a real estate appraisal license. This event is part of the timeline investigated by the Government Operations and Audit Committee regarding potential influence by Governor Noem.
July 3, 2020: Noem attends Mount Rushmore event without mask mandates
On July 3, 2020, Kristi Noem did not mandate social distancing or the wearing of face masks at an event at Mount Rushmore with then-President Trump present. Health experts warned about the risks of large gatherings without precautions. Noem publicly doubted the usefulness of masks, citing analysis by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.
July 20, 2020: Peters receives a letter for failing to meet requirements
Around July 20, 2020, Kassidy Peters received a letter and/or Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law after she failed to meet the requirements of the Agreed Disposition. This was in relation to her application for a real estate appraisal license, adding to the controversy surrounding the matter.
August 2020: Noem speaks at Republican National Convention
In August 2020, Kristi Noem was rewarded for her COVID-19 response with a speech at the Republican National Convention, which elevated her national profile. The Argus Leader called the RNC speech a "defining moment in her political career".
October 22, 2020: COVID-19 hospitalizations reach record high
On October 22, 2020, COVID-19 patients hospitalized in South Dakota reached a record high of 355, including 75 in Intensive Care Units. This surge occurred after the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, in which Noem participated. Hospital systems rescheduled elective procedures to accommodate the increase in patients.
November 2020: Noem promotes tourism using pandemic relief funds
In November 2020, during a surge in COVID-19 cases in South Dakota, Kristi Noem used pandemic relief funds to promote tourism. She did not implement face mask mandates, raised doubts about the efficacy of mask-wearing, encouraged large gatherings without social distancing or mask-wearing, and questioned public health experts' advice.
December 2020: Noem avoids statewide mandates amid COVID-19
As of December 2020, Kristi Noem was one of the few governors who had not maintained statewide stay-at-home orders or face-mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her approach mirrored Trump's rhetoric and handling of the pandemic.
2020: Noem's involvement in daughter's real estate appraisal license denial
In 2020, after Kristi Noem's daughter, Kassidy Peters, was denied a real estate appraisal license, Noem summoned Sherry Bren, the director of South Dakota's Appraiser Certification Program, to her office. The meeting included Peters and other officials. This event sparked controversy and accusations of using her position to influence the licensing process.
2020: COVID-19 outbreak at Smithfield Foods plant
In early 2020, one of the largest COVID-19 outbreaks in the U.S. occurred in South Dakota at the Smithfield Foods production plant in Sioux Falls. The outbreak resulted in four deaths, with nearly 1,300 workers and their family members testing positive. Noem publicly echoed the misinformation that the spread was not happening at work but rather in the workers "home and social" habits.
2020: Noem opts out of federal unemployment benefits
Sixteen weeks after Trump's 2020 executive order that provided enhanced weekly unemployment benefits of $300, Kristi Noem opted out of the program, citing a low state unemployment rate. South Dakota was the only state to refuse the assistance, even though its jobless rate was up from March.
March 8, 2021: Announcement of Women's Fairness in Sports Bill
On March 8, 2021, Kristi Noem announced on Twitter that she would sign into law H.B. 1217, the Women's Fairness in Sports Bill, which bans transgender athletes from women's sports teams. Critics expressed concerns about potential economic repercussions.
April 23, 2021: Aaron Scheibe Departs as Chief of Staff
On April 23, 2021, Aaron Scheibe left his position as Kristi Noem's chief of staff.
July 1, 2021: Medical Marijuana Legalization
After efforts to delay implementation, medical marijuana became legal in South Dakota on July 1, 2021.
July 2021: Changes in Department of Corrections leadership
In July 2021, Kristi Noem placed Secretary of the Department of Corrections Mike Liedholt on administrative leave and fired South Dakota State Penitentiary Warden Darin Young and Deputy Warden Jennifer Dreiske. This followed an anonymous note with complaints regarding pay, medical coverage, and instances of sexual harassment. Liedholt later announced his retirement.
August 2021: Review of Department of Corrections operations
In August 2021, Kristi Noem announced that the CGL Group, a California-based company, was hired for $166,410 to comprehensively review the Department of Corrections operations. At the same time, the director of the prison work program was fired, and two other DOC employees were relieved of their duties.
September 22, 2021: Lawsuit filed to obtain documents about National Guard deployment
On September 22, 2021, the Center for Public Integrity sued the South Dakota National Guard and the U.S. Department of Defense in federal district court in the District of Columbia to obtain documents about the deployment of National Guard members to Texas's border with Mexico and the donation that funded it.
October 2021: Committee investigates appraisal program
In October 2021, the State Senate's Government Operations and Audit Committee invited Marcia Hultman and Sherry Bren to discuss the appraisal program in light of the controversy surrounding Kassidy Peters' real estate appraisal license denial. This investigation was prompted by an Associated Press story about the incident.
November 1, 2021: Government Accountability Board sets agenda to discuss complaints
On November 1, 2021, the Government Accountability Board set an agenda to discuss the issue regarding Noem's involvement in her daughter's real estate appraisal license denial and another issue based on complaints brought by Ravnsborg.
November 2021: Announced Re-election Campaign
In November 2021, Kristi Noem announced she was running for reelection as governor.
November 19, 2021: Appointment of New Chief of Staff
On November 19, 2021, Kristi Noem appointed Mark Miller as her fifth chief of staff, replacing Aaron Scheibe.
December 14, 2021: Bren testifies before Government Operations and Audit Committee
On December 14, 2021, Sherry Bren testified before the Government Operations and Audit Committee regarding Kassidy Peters' real estate appraisal license denial. Bren stated that Peters received an Agreed Disposition around March/April 2020 and later a letter on July 20, 2020, for failing to meet the Agreed Disposition requirements.
December 15, 2021: Board refers complaint to Noem for response
On December 15, 2021, the Government Accountability Board referred one of the two complaints against Noem to her for a response and sent the other back to the complainant for further information. This action was part of the investigation into alleged misconduct.
December 2021: Support for Women's Sports Bill
In December 2021, Kristi Noem and her office signaled support for a bill called "An Act to Protect Fairness in women's sports," which would require athletes to join teams aligning with their biological sex at birth.
2021: Signing of Religious Refusal Bill
In 2021, Kristi Noem signed a religious refusal bill into law, amending the state RFRA to allow business owners to deny products or services based on religious beliefs related to sexual orientation or gender identity. Civil rights groups criticized S.B. 124, citing potential discrimination.
February 3, 2022: Board refers second complaint to Noem
On February 3, 2022, the Government Accountability Board referred the second complaint against Kristi Noem to her for a response, giving her until April 15, 2022, to answer both pending complaints. These actions related to investigations into potential misconduct.
February 2022: House Democratic Minority Leader Jamie Smith announced he was seeking the Democratic nomination.
In February 2022, House Democratic Minority Leader Jamie Smith announced he was seeking the Democratic nomination.
February 24, 2022: House Resolution 7004 introduced against Noem
On February 24, 2022, Republican State Representative John Mills introduced House Resolution 7004, "Addressing the Governor's unacceptable actions in matters related to the appraiser certification program", against Kristi Noem. This resolution was a formal challenge to her actions regarding her daughter's real estate appraisal license denial.
March 14, 2022: Bawek files lawsuit alleging retaliation
On March 14, 2022, Stephany Bawek, the former prison work program director, filed a lawsuit in federal district court alleging that she was fired for reporting incidents of sexual harassment in the workplace. This followed her complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) claiming retaliation.
April 15, 2022: Deadline for Noem to respond to complaints
April 15, 2022, was the deadline for Kristi Noem to respond to both pending complaints referred to her by the Government Accountability Board. These complaints were part of ongoing investigations into her conduct.
2022: Banning TikTok from state-owned devices
In 2022, Kristi Noem issued an order banning TikTok from state-owned devices, citing concerns that the Chinese Communist Party uses the information gathered on TikTok to manipulate the American people. This action reflects her stance against China and efforts to protect user data on state-owned devices.
2022: National Defense Authorization Act bans privately funded National Guard deployments
The 2022 National Defense Authorization Act banned National Guard members from crossing state borders to perform duties paid for by private donors. This legislation affected deployments like the one Kristi Noem authorized to the Texas border with Mexico, which was funded by a private donation.
2023: Prohibiting Tencent applications on state-owned devices
In 2023, Kristi Noem signed an order prohibiting the downloading or use of any application or visiting of any site owned by the Chinese company Tencent, including WeChat, on state-owned devices. This was part of her continued effort to safeguard against perceived threats from Chinese technology companies.
January 2024: Noem comments on southern border and drug cartels
In January 2024, Kristi Noem stated that an "invasion is coming over the southern border" of the United States and that "the enemy is the Mexican drug cartels", which are "perpetrating violence in each of our states, even here in South Dakota ... The cartels are using our reservations to facilitate the spread of drugs throughout the Midwest." These comments contributed to the tensions with tribal leaders.
March 2024: Promotion of Smile Texas
In March 2024, Kristi Noem promoted a cosmetic dentist business, Smile Texas, in a video, identifying herself as the South Dakota governor and stating that the business helped her after she lost her front teeth. This has made her an example of the "Mar-a-Lago face" trend among conservative women.
March 2024: Noem alleges tribal leaders benefit from cartels
In March 2024, Kristi Noem said that there were "some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefiting from the cartels being there", without providing any evidence. She also claimed to receive calls and texts from people on reservations expressing fear and requesting help, citing high unemployment rates and lack of parental support. These statements exacerbated the conflict with tribal nations.
November 12, 2024: Selection as Secretary of Homeland Security
On November 12, 2024, President-elect Trump selected Kristi Noem to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security in his second term.
2024: Prohibiting land purchase by foreign governments
In 2024, Kristi Noem signed a bill prohibiting the governments of six countries—China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela—and entities from those countries from buying agricultural land in South Dakota. This action was aimed at protecting the state's agricultural resources from foreign influence.
2024: Tribes ban Noem from tribal lands
In 2024, all nine tribes of South Dakota reportedly banned Kristi Noem from entering any tribal lands, effectively prohibiting her from almost 20% of South Dakota. However, reports also indicated that the Yankton Sioux tribe had not officially banned Noem, leading to conflicting information in the media.
January 2025: Noem apologizes, Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe dissolves ban
Around January 2025, Kristi Noem apologized to the tribes for the misunderstanding between them. Following the apology, the Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe dissolved its order banning Noem from its land. The tribe expressed support for her nomination as the Secretary of Homeland Security.
January 2025: Confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security
In January 2025, Kristi Noem was confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security by a Senate vote of 59-34.
January 17, 2025: Confirmation Hearing
On January 17, 2025, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a confirmation hearing for Kristi Noem.
January 25, 2025: Swearing-In as Secretary of Homeland Security
After resigning as governor of South Dakota, on January 25, 2025, Kristi Noem was sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
January 28, 2025: Immigration Raid Led by Noem
In the early morning of January 28, 2025, Kristi Noem led a raid on illegal immigrants in New York City, involving multiple federal law enforcement agencies. Her department shared a video of the raid on X.
February 2025: Interview on Administration Policies
In February 2025, Kristi Noem was interviewed by CNN host Dana Bash about the new administration's policies and the Department of Homeland Security. Discussions included the use of Guantanamo Bay for migrant detention and the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) access to sensitive data.
2025: Secretary of Homeland Security
In 2025, Kristi Noem began serving as the 8th United States Secretary of Homeland Security.
2025: Response to Potomac River Collision
In 2025, after the Potomac River mid-air collision, Kristi Noem deployed U.S. Coast Guard resources for search and rescue efforts.
Mentioned in this timeline
TikTok Douyin in China is a social media platform owned...
Tencent is a Chinese multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in Shenzhen...
WeChat also known as Weixin in Chinese is a multipurpose...
Venezuela officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is a South...
The White House located at Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington...
CNN Cable News Network is a multinational news organization founded...
Trending
26 minutes ago Daniel Day-Lewis Rumored for Magneto Role in X-Men Reboot, Unlikely to Return
2 hours ago Ryan Hall Scores Winning Try for Leeds Rhinos in Super League Victory
2 hours ago Rafael Márquez sings 'La Chica de Humo' with Emmanuel on 'Juego de Voces'.
3 hours ago Dave Franco and Alison Brie Face Copyright Lawsuit Over 'Together' Movie Allegations.
3 hours ago Japan Adjusts Trade Stance with US: Lower Tariffs Considered, Better Deal Sought.
3 hours ago Pet Cremation Scandal Leads to Legislation; Memorial Held for Bereaved Pet Owners.
Popular
Jupiter the fifth planet from the Sun is the Solar...
Michael Jordan also known as MJ is an American businessman...
Cristiano Ronaldo often nicknamed CR is a highly decorated Portuguese...
Pope Francis is the current head of the Catholic Church...
Ronald Reagan the th U S President - was a...
LeBron James nicknamed King James is a professional basketball player...