History of Kristi Noem in Timeline

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Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem is an American politician and Air Force Auxiliary officer. A Republican, she served as the 33rd governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025. Before becoming governor, Noem represented South Dakota's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. Since 2025 she has served as the 8th United States secretary of homeland security.

November 30, 1971: Kristi Noem Born

On November 30, 1971, Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem was born in Watertown, South Dakota.

1990: Attended Northern State University

In 1990, Kristi Noem began attending Northern State University.

1990: Graduated from Hamlin High School

In 1990, Kristi Noem graduated from Hamlin High School and was crowned South Dakota Snow Queen.

1992: Marriage to Bryon Noem

Kristi Noem married Bryon Noem in 1992, in Watertown, South Dakota.

March 1994: Father's Death and Return to Family Farm

In March 1994, Kristi Noem's father passed away in a farm machinery accident, leading her to leave college to manage the family farm.

April 21, 1994: Birth of Daughter Kassidy

On April 21, 1994, Kristi Noem's daughter, Kassidy, was born.

2006: Elected to South Dakota House of Representatives

In 2006, Kristi Noem was elected as a Republican to the South Dakota House of Representatives for the 6th district with 39% of the vote.

2007: Served in South Dakota House of Representatives

In 2007, Kristi Noem began serving in the South Dakota House of Representatives.

2008: Re-elected to South Dakota House of Representatives

In 2008, Kristi Noem was re-elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives with 41% of the vote.

2009: Served as 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.

2009: Fireworks Displays Halted at Mount Rushmore

In 2009, the National Park Service halted fireworks displays at Mount Rushmore due to fire risks and other reasons. This action later led to a lawsuit by Kristi Noem in 2021.

August 2010: Expressed Opposition to Embryonic Stem-Cell Research

In August 2010, Kristi Noem indicated in a questionnaire that she would vote to ban embryonic stem-cell research.

2010: Supported Ending Deepwater Drilling Moratorium

In 2010, Kristi Noem co-sponsored bills that she argued would reduce American dependence on foreign oil by ending the 2010 United States deepwater drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico.

2010: Ended Serving in South Dakota House of Representatives

In 2010, Kristi Noem concluded her service in the South Dakota House of Representatives.

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.

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: Critical of Obama's Approach to Libyan Intervention

In March 2011, Kristi Noem was critical of President Barack Obama's approach to the NATO-led military intervention in the 2011 Libyan civil war.

March 2011: Elected as Liaison to House Republican Leadership

In March 2011, Kristi Noem was elected as liaison to the House Republican leadership by the freshman class.

2011: Ended Service in South Dakota House

In 2011, Kristi Noem concluded her service in the South Dakota House of Representatives.

2011: Move to Washington D.C.

In 2011, Kristi Noem moved to Washington to take her congressional office, while her family continued to live on a ranch near Castlewood, South Dakota.

2011: Represented South Dakota in U.S. House of Representatives

In 2011, Kristi Noem represented South Dakota's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

2011: Sponsored Measure to Block EPA Funding

In 2011, Kristi Noem sponsored a measure to block Environmental Protection Agency funding for tighter air pollution standards for coarse particulates.

2011: Voted on the Budget Control Act

In 2011, Kristi Noem voted for S. 365, The Budget Control Act of 2011, which allowed Obama to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for spending cuts. She also expressed her desire to eliminate the estate tax, lower the corporate tax rate, and simplify the tax code.

2012: Received Bachelor's Degree and Dubbed 'Most Powerful Intern'

In 2012, Kristi Noem obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from South Dakota State University and was dubbed Capitol Hill's "most powerful intern".

2012: Named Regional Director for NRCC

In 2012, Kristi Noem was named one of the 12 regional directors for the National Republican Congressional Committee by Representative Pete Sessions.

2013: Served on House Armed Services Committee

In 2013, Kristi Noem began serving 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 part of the House Armed Services Committee.

2015: Co-sponsored bill to define human life

In 2015, Kristi Noem co-sponsored a bill to amend the 14th Amendment defining human life and personhood as beginning at fertilization, federally banning abortion from that moment.

2015: Co-sponsored legislation to define human life at fertilization

In 2015, Kristi Noem co-sponsored legislation to define human life and personhood as beginning at the moment of fertilization, without exceptions for in-vitro fertilization or embryonic stem-cell research.

2015: Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage

In 2015, Kristi Noem expressed disagreement with Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court's ruling that same-sex marriage bans are unconstitutional.

2015: Ended Service on House Armed Services Committee

In 2015, Kristi Noem finished serving on the House Armed Services Committee.

2015: Comparison to Indiana RFRA Law

The religious refusal legislation signed by Kristi Noem in 2021 resembles the 2015 bill signed into law by Indiana Governor Mike Pence, which also sparked controversy.

November 2016: Announced Candidacy for Governor

In November 2016, Kristi Noem announced she would run for governor of South Dakota in 2018 rather than seek reelection to Congress.

2017: Supported Trump's Executive Order 13769

In 2017, Kristi Noem supported President Donald Trump's Executive Order 13769, which suspended the U.S. refugee program for 120 days and banned travel from seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days.

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 said gave the average South Dakota family a $1,200 tax cut.

2018: Pitched Online Sales Tax Bill

In 2018, Kristi Noem pitched her online sales tax bill to members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.

2018: Elected as Governor of South Dakota

In 2018, Kristi Noem was elected as Governor of South Dakota.

2018: Elected as First Female Governor of South Dakota

In 2018, Kristi Noem was elected as the first female governor of South Dakota, with the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

2018: Family Attends Foursquare Church

In 2018, Noem's family was attending a Foursquare Church in Watertown, South Dakota.

2018: Made Government Transparency Part of Her 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.

February 2019: Statement on Trade War Impact

In February 2019, Kristi Noem stated that the Trump administration's trade wars with China and the European Union had devastated South Dakota's economy, especially the agricultural sector.

May 2019: Proposed Fence Around Governor's Mansion

In May 2019, Kristi Noem proposed building a fence around the governor's mansion at an estimated cost of $400,000, but later retracted the proposal.

October 1, 2019: Josh Shields Preceded Venhuizen

Josh Shields preceded Tony Venhuizen as chief of staff from October 1, 2019, to January 1, 2020.

November 18, 2019: Release of "Meth. We're on It" Awareness Campaign

On November 18, 2019, Kristi Noem released a meth awareness campaign named "Meth. We're on It". The campaign was widely mocked, and she was criticized for spending public funds on an out-of-state advertising agency.

2019: Served as Governor of South Dakota

From 2019, Kristi Noem served as the 33rd governor of South Dakota.

2019: Consented to South Dakota's Participation in 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.

2019: Left Congress

In 2019, Kristi Noem left Congress after serving since 2011.

2019: Abolishment of Concealed Handgun Permit Requirement

In 2019, Kristi Noem signed a bill into law that abolished South Dakota's permit requirement to carry a concealed handgun.

2019: Signed Anti-Protest Legislation

In 2019, Kristi Noem signed anti-protest legislation developed in collaboration with TransCanada Corporation in response to protests against the Keystone Pipeline.

2019: Signed Bills Restricting Abortion

In 2019, Kristi Noem signed bills restricting abortion, stating they would "crack down on abortion providers in South Dakota".

2019: Veto of Hemp Legalization Bill

In 2019, Kristi Noem vetoed a bill that passed the South Dakota House and Senate to legalize hemp cultivation, expressing concerns about undermining drug law enforcement.

January 1, 2020: Josh Shields' Term Ends

Josh Shields' term as chief of staff ended on January 1, 2020.

March 2, 2020: Tony Venhuizen Preceded Scheibe

Tony Venhuizen preceded Aaron Scheibe as chief of staff from March 2, 2020, to April 23, 2021.

March 13, 2020: Ordered K-12 schools to close

On March 13, 2020, Kristi Noem ordered K-12 schools to close in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 6, 2020: Issued executive order and ordered people over 65 to stay home

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.

April 9, 2020: Inspectors allowed to wear masks with permission

On April 9, 2020, the Food Safety and Inspection Service said its inspectors would be allowed to wear masks if the meatpacking plants' owners gave the federal employees permission to do so.

April 13, 2020: Commented on COVID-19 outbreak at Smithfield plant

On April 13, 2020, Kristi Noem told Fox News that she believed "99 percent of what's going on today wasn't happening inside the facility" regarding the COVID-19 outbreak at the Smithfield pork plant.

April 2020: Peters received an Agreed Disposition

Around April 2020, Kassidy Peters received an Agreed Disposition regarding her real estate appraisal license.

July 3, 2020: No mask mandate at Mount Rushmore event

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. She publicly doubted scientific recommendations on the usefulness of masks, citing analysis by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.

July 20, 2020: Peters received a letter for failing to meet the requirements

Around July 20, 2020, Kassidy Peters received a letter and/or Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law when she failed to meet the requirements of the Agreed Disposition.

August 2020: Speech at the Republican National Convention

Kristi Noem gave a speech at the August 2020 Republican National Convention, which elevated her national profile, rewarding her for her COVID-19 response. The Argus Leader called the RNC speech a "defining moment in her political career".

October 22, 2020: COVID-19 hospitalizations reached 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, following a drastic increase in COVID cases after the 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, in which Noem participated.

November 2020: Used pandemic relief funds to promote tourism

In November 2020, during a surge in COVID-19 cases, Kristi Noem used pandemic relief funds to promote tourism in South Dakota. She did not implement face mask mandates and raised doubts about the efficacy of mask-wearing.

December 8, 2020: Tacit Acknowledgment of Biden Administration

On December 8, 2020, Kristi Noem tacitly acknowledged the outcome of the presidential election when she referred to a "Biden administration" during her annual state budget address.

December 2020: One of few governors without statewide stay-at-home orders or face-mask mandates

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 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Opposition to Cannabis Legalization

In 2020, Kristi Noem opposed two ballot measures to legalize cannabis for medical and recreational use in South Dakota. After both measures passed, she and two police officers filed a lawsuit against the recreational use measure.

2020: Opted out of enhanced unemployment benefits

In 2020, Kristi Noem opted South Dakota out of the federal program providing enhanced weekly unemployment benefits of $300, citing a low state unemployment rate, making South Dakota the only state to refuse the assistance.

2020: Summoned state employee over 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, a state employee who directed South Dakota's Appraiser Certification Program, to her office. Attendees included Peters, Noem's chief of staff, a Department of Labor Attorney, and the Labor Secretary.

2020: Addressed Unconstitutional Sections of Anti-Riot Legislation

In 2020, after a federal court struck down sections of the legislation as unconstitutional, Kristi Noem brought legislation to repeal sections of the previous bill and clarify the definition of "incitement to riot".

2020: COVID-19 outbreaks in South Dakota

In 2020, one of the largest COVID-19 outbreaks in the U.S. occurred in South Dakota, particularly at the Smithfield Foods production plant in Sioux Falls. Kristi Noem publicly expressed the view that employees' "home and social" habits were spreading the contagion.

2020: Trump-Pence Ticket in South Dakota

In 2020, the Trump-Pence ticket carried South Dakota, receiving 261,043 votes. Kristi Noem was initially designated as one of Trump's presidential electors for South Dakota but later withdrew.

2020: Revival of Governor's Mansion Fence Project

In 2020, the fence project proposed in 2019 for the governor's mansion was revived based on the recommendations of Kristi Noem's security team.

2020: From 2020 to 2021, the following events took place

This entry provides a summary that from 2020 to 2021, the following events took place. No specific event on that day.

January 6, 2021: Response to U.S. Capitol Attack

After the U.S. Capitol was attacked by a pro-Trump mob on January 6, 2021, Kristi Noem spoke out against the violence. The next day, she called the newly elected Democratic senators from Georgia "communists", prompting criticism.

February 8, 2021: Amendment Struck Down as Unconstitutional

On February 8, 2021, circuit court judge Christina Klinger struck down the amendment legalizing recreational marijuana as unconstitutional. After the ruling, she also sought to delay the implementation of the medical marijuana initiative for a year.

March 8, 2021: Announcement of Women's Fairness in Sports Bill

On March 8, 2021, Kristi Noem announced on Twitter her intent to sign into law H.B. 1217, the Women's Fairness in Sports Bill, which aimed to ban transgender athletes from women's school and college sports teams.

April 23, 2021: Aaron Scheibe Served as Chief of Staff

Aaron Scheibe served as chief of staff from May 1 to April 23, 2021.

June 2021: Announced sending National Guard to Texas border

In June 2021, Kristi Noem announced that she was sending members of the South Dakota National Guard to Texas's border with Mexico, funded by a donation from Tennessee billionaire Willis Johnson.

July 1, 2021: Medical Marijuana Legalization

Despite attempts to delay its implementation, medical marijuana became legal in South Dakota on July 1, 2021.

July 2021: Placed Corrections Secretary on leave and fired prison officials

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, after receiving an anonymous note with complaints. Noem also ended the prison's mask mandate.

August 2021: Hired CGL Group to review Corrections operations

In August 2021, Kristi Noem announced that the CGL Group was hired for $166,410 to comprehensively review the Department of Corrections operations. The director of the prison work program was also fired, and two other DOC employees were relieved of their duties.

September 2021: Extramarital Affair Allegation

In September 2021, American Greatness reported that Noem was having an extramarital affair with Corey Lewandowski, which Noem denied, calling it a "disgusting lie".

September 22, 2021: Lawsuit filed over National Guard deployment to Texas border

On September 22, 2021, the Center for Public Integrity sued the South Dakota National Guard and the U.S. Department of Defense in the federal district court in the District of Columbia to obtain documents about the deployment to Texas's border with Mexico and the donation from Willis Johnson to fund it.

October 2021: Invited Hultman and Bren to discuss the 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.

November 1, 2021: Government Accountability Board set an agenda to discuss issues

On November 1, 2021, the Government Accountability Board set an agenda to discuss the issue regarding Noem's daughter's real estate appraisal license and another issue based on complaints brought by Ravnsborg.

November 2021: Announced Run for Re-election as Governor

In November 2021, Kristi Noem announced that she was running for reelection as governor of South Dakota.

November 2021: Reported Spending on Governor's Mansion

In late November 2021, it was reported that Kristi Noem spent $68,000 of taxpayer dollars on imported rugs from India, chandeliers and a sauna for the governor's mansion.

November 19, 2021: Appointment of Mark Miller as Chief of Staff

On November 19, 2021, Kristi Noem named Mark Miller as her fifth chief of staff, replacing Aaron Scheibe.

December 14, 2021: Bren testified before the Government Operations and Audit Committee

On December 14, 2021, Sherry Bren testified before the Government Operations and Audit Committee, stating that Kassidy Peters received an Agreed Disposition around March/April 2020 and later a letter/Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law around July 20, 2020, for failing to meet the Agreed Disposition requirements.

December 15, 2021: Government Accountability Board referred complaints to Noem

On December 15, 2021, the Government Accountability Board referred one of the two complaints to Noem for a response and sent the other back to the complainant for further information.

December 2021: Support for "An Act to Protect Fairness in women's sports."

In December 2021, Kristi Noem and her office signaled their support for a bill called "An Act to Protect Fairness in women's sports," which would require young 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 cite religious beliefs as a basis to deny products or services to people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

2021: Noem Sues to Have Fireworks at Mount Rushmore

In 2021, Kristi Noem sued U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to allow fireworks at Mount Rushmore for Independence Day, which had been halted in 2009 due to fire risks. The U.S. District Court dismissed the suit, but Noem filed an appeal.

2021: From 2020 to 2021, the following events took place

This entry provides a summary that from 2020 to 2021, the following events took place. No specific event on that day.

January 21, 2022: "Prayer Bill" Defeated

On January 21, 2022, the "prayer bill", HB 1015, which Kristi Noem advocated for, was defeated in the House Education Committee by a vote of 9–6.

February 3, 2022: Government Accountability Board referred the second complaint to Noem

On February 3, 2022, the Government Accountability Board referred the second complaint to Noem for a response and gave her until April 15, 2022, to answer both pending complaints.

February 2022: Jamie Smith Announced Candidacy

In February 2022, House Democratic Minority Leader Jamie Smith announced he was seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.

February 24, 2022: House Resolution 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.

March 14, 2022: Lawsuit filed by former prison work program director

On March 14, 2022, Stephany Bawek, 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.

April 15, 2022: Deadline to answer pending complaints

Kristi Noem had until April 15, 2022, to answer both pending complaints referred to her by the Government Accountability Board.

2022: Banned 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 information gathered on TikTok to manipulate the American people.

2022: Published "Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland"

In 2022, Kristi Noem published her autobiography, "Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland".

2022: Gun Range Proposal Rejected

In 2022, Kristi Noem sought to build a gun range in Meade County using government funds, but the legislature rejected the proposal.

2022: RV Park Proposal in Custer State Park

In 2022, Kristi Noem sought to locate a government-paid RV park in Custer State Park, but the proposal faced significant opposition and was effectively killed in the House Agricultural and Natural Resources committee.

2022: Expressed Views on Climate Change

In 2022, Kristi Noem stated she believes the science on climate change has been varied and has not been proven to her that human actions are affecting the climate.

2022: National Defense Authorization Act banned private funding for National Guard deployments

In 2022, the National Defense Authorization Act banned National Guard members from crossing state borders to perform duties paid for by private donors.

2022: Settlement in the U.S.

Since 2022, 532,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela had settled in the U.S., before Kristi Noem revoked their legal protections in March 2025.

September 2023: Endorsement of Trump in Primaries

In September 2023, Kristi Noem endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries at a rally hosted for him in Rapid City, South Dakota.

September 2023: Similar Reports Published

In September 2023, similar reports about Noem and Lewandowski were published by the New York Post and the Daily Mail, which Noem's spokesman also denied.

September 2023: Response to Running Mate Question

In September 2023, when asked on Newsmax if she would agree to serve as Trump's running mate, Kristi Noem responded that she would "in a heartbeat".

2023: Remarks at NRA Forum

At a 2023 NRA forum in Indiana, Kristi Noem mentioned that her two-year-old granddaughter owned a shotgun, a rifle, and a "little pony named Sparkles".

2023: Prohibited apps/sites owned by Tencent 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.

January 2024: Noem comments on 'invasion' at the southern border

In January 2024, Kristi Noem stated that an "invasion is coming over the southern border" of the United States, and 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."

February 2024: CPAC Straw Poll Results

At the February 2024 CPAC conference, Kristi Noem tied with Vivek Ramaswamy as attendees' top choice for Trump's running mate, with each receiving 15% of the vote in a straw poll.

March 2024: Consideration as Running Mate

In March 2024, CNN reported that Kristi Noem was one of four people Donald Trump had shown increased interest in selecting as his running mate.

March 2024: Appearance at Trump Rally in Ohio

In March 2024, Donald Trump invited Kristi Noem to appear with him at a rally in Vandalia, Ohio.

March 2024: Noem suggests some tribal leaders benefit from cartels

In March 2024, Kristi Noem said there were "some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefiting from the cartels being there", but gave no evidence, and that there were people "who actually live in those situations, who call me and text me every day and say, 'Please, dear governor, please come help us in Pine Ridge. We are scared.'"

March 2024: Promotion of Cosmetic Dentist

In March 2024, Noem shared a video promoting Smile Texas, a cosmetic dentist, stating they helped her after losing her front teeth in a biking accident. She has since been identified as an example of "Mar-a-Lago face."

April 2024: Reversed support for federal abortion ban

In April 2024, Kristi Noem reversed her support for a federal ban on abortion, stating she believed abortion law should be determined at the state level and supported South Dakota's law banning abortion except to save the life of the pregnant patient.

April 2024: Controversy over Dog Killing in Autobiography

In April 2024, excerpts from Noem's autobiography, 'No Going Back', were released, revealing that she shot her 14-month-old wirehaired pointer, Cricket, in a gravel pit after a pheasant hunt, deeming the dog untrainable and dangerous. Noem also killed her family's male goat. The incident received broad criticism.

No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward
No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward

April 2024: Diminished Odds of Being Selected as Running Mate

In April 2024, insiders suggested that Kristi Noem's odds of being selected as Donald Trump's running mate had decreased due to her stance on abortion and revelations in her book. By June 5, it was reported she was no longer on the shortlist.

No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward
No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward

August 2024: Induction into Daughters of the American Revolution

In August 2024, Noem and her sister were inducted into the Daughters of the American Revolution at the South Dakota State Fair.

November 12, 2024: Noem Selected 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: Published "No Going Back"

In 2024, Kristi Noem published her autobiography, "No Going Back", which sparked controversy.

No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward
No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward

2024: Prohibited governments of six countries from buying agricultural land in South Dakota

In 2024, Kristi Noem signed a bill prohibiting the governments of China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela, and entities from those countries, from buying agricultural land in South Dakota.

2024: South Dakota Tribes banned Noem from Tribal lands

In 2024, the nine tribes of South Dakota banned Kristi Noem from entering any tribal lands, representing almost 20% of South Dakota. Some media reported that one tribe, the Yankton Sioux, had not officially banned Noem.

January 2025: Noem apologized to the tribes

Around January 2025, Kristi Noem apologized to the tribes for the misunderstanding between them, and the Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe dissolved its order banning Noem from its land. The tribe expressed its 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 for Secretary of Homeland Security

On January 17, 2025, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a confirmation hearing for Kristi Noem to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security.

January 25, 2025: Swearing-In as Secretary of Homeland Security

After resigning as governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem was sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security on January 25, 2025, by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

January 28, 2025: Raid on Illegal Immigrants in New York City

On the early morning of January 28, 2025, Kristi Noem led a raid with federal law enforcement agencies on illegal immigrants in New York City. A video of the raid was posted on X.

February 2025: Interview with Dana Bash

In February 2025, Kristi Noem was interviewed by CNN host Dana Bash, discussing the new administration's policies and the Department of Homeland Security. She addressed the use of Guantanamo Bay for migrants and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)'s access to sensitive data.

March 2025: Revocation of Legal Protections

In March 2025, Kristi Noem revoked legal protections for 532,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who had settled in the U.S. since 2022.

April 2025: Reported Social Security Administration Misconduct

In April 2025, The Washington Post reported that Kristi Noem and acting Social Security Administration commissioner Leland Dudek had instructed the Social Security Administration to falsely list over 6,000 living immigrants in its database of dead people.

April 20, 2025: Purse Stolen in D.C.

On the evening of April 20, 2025, Kristi Noem's purse was stolen from a D.C. burger restaurant. The purse contained her government access badge, apartment keys, a large sum of cash, passport, and blank checks, raising security concerns.

May 20, 2025: Senate Hearing on DHS Budget

During a May 20, 2025, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on the Department of Homeland Security's budget for fiscal year 2026, Kristi Noem incorrectly defined habeas corpus, prompting criticism.

2025: Appointed as Secretary of Homeland Security

In 2025, Kristi Noem became 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 as Secretary of Homeland Security.

2025: Imagining Becoming President

In her memoir, Noem imagined herself becoming president in 2025 and suggested that Joe Biden's dog, Commander, should be killed, referencing her prior killing of Cricket.

2026: DHS Budget for Fiscal Year

During the May 20, 2025, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, they discussed the Department of Homeland Security's budget for fiscal year 2026.