History of Kristi Noem in Timeline

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Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem is an American politician who has served as the 8th United States Secretary of Homeland Security since 2025. A Republican, she was 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 reflects a progression through different levels of government service.

November 30, 1971: Kristi Noem Born

On November 30, 1971, Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem was born. She later became a prominent American politician.

1990: Graduated from Hamlin High School

In 1990, Kristi Noem graduated from Hamlin High School in Hayti, South Dakota, and she was also crowned South Dakota Snow Queen that year.

1990: Attended Northern State University

Kristi Noem attended Northern State University from 1990 to 1994, but did not graduate.

1992: Marriage to Bryon Noem

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

March 1994: Father's Death and Taking Over Family Farm

In March 1994, Kristi Noem's father tragically died in a grain bin accident, prompting her to leave college early to take over the family farm.

April 21, 1994: Birth of Daughter Kassidy

On April 21, 1994, Kristi Noem's daughter, Kassidy, was born weeks after the death of her father.

2006: Elected to South Dakota House of Representatives

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

2007: Started Serving in South Dakota House of Representatives

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

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: 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 safety concerns.

August 2010: Opposed Embryonic Stem-Cell Research

In August 2010, while running for Congress, Kristi Noem indicated she would vote to ban embryonic stem-cell research.

2010: Ran for U.S. House of Representatives

In 2010, Kristi Noem ran for South Dakota's at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and won the Republican primary.

2010: Supported Keystone XL Pipeline

In 2010, Kristi Noem supported the Keystone XL Pipeline.

2010: End of Term in South Dakota House of Representatives

In 2010, Kristi Noem's four-year term in the South Dakota House of Representatives concluded.

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: Criticized 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, calling for more information about the U.S.'s role.

March 2011: Elected Liaison to House Republican Leadership

In March 2011, Kristi Noem was elected by the 2011 House Republican freshman class as liaison to the House Republican leadership, becoming the second woman member of the House GOP leadership.

2011: Voted for Budget Control Act of 2011

In 2011, Kristi Noem indicated that she would vote to raise the federal debt ceiling if it was tied to budget reforms. She ultimately voted for S. 365, The Budget Control Act of 2011.

2011: Move to Washington

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: 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.

2012: Named Regional Director for NRCC

In March 2011, Representative Pete Sessions named Kristi Noem one of the 12 regional directors for the National Republican Congressional Committee for the 2012 election campaign.

2013: Served on House Armed Services Committee

From 2013 to 2015, Kristi Noem served on the House Armed Services Committee, working on the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act.

2014: Worked on 2014 National Defense Authorization Act

From 2013 to 2015, Kristi Noem served on the House Armed Services Committee, where she worked on the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act.

2015: Served on House Armed Services Committee

From 2013 to 2015, Kristi Noem served on the House Armed Services Committee, working on the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act.

2015: Comparison to Indiana's RFRA Law

In 2015, Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed a similar bill into law, resembling the religious refusal bill signed by Noem in 2021.

2015: Co-sponsored bill to amend the 14th Amendment

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

2015: Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage

In 2015, Noem expressed her opposition to same-sex marriage and disagreed with the Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which declared same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional.

November 2016: Announced Run for Governor of South Dakota

In November 2016, Kristi Noem announced her candidacy for governor of South Dakota in the 2018 election, choosing not to seek reelection to Congress.

2017: Supported Trump's Executive Order 13769

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

2017: Negotiated Passage of the 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 would give the average South Dakota family a $1,200 tax cut.

2018: Family Attended Foursquare Church

As of 2018, Kristi Noem's family attended a Foursquare Church in Watertown, South Dakota.

2018: Pitched Online Sales Tax Bill

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

2018: Elected Governor of South Dakota

In 2018, Kristi Noem was elected as the first female governor of South Dakota.

2018: Government Transparency Part of Platform

While running for governor in 2018, Kristi Noem made government transparency part of her platform.

January 5, 2019: Sworn in as Governor of South Dakota

On January 5, 2019, Kristi Noem was sworn in as governor of South Dakota, becoming the first woman to hold that office in the state.

February 2019: Trade War Impact on South Dakota Economy

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

May 2019: Proposal to Build Fence Around Governor's Mansion

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

October 1, 2019: Josh Shields Becomes Chief of Staff

On October 1, 2019, Josh Shields became chief of staff.

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

On November 18, 2019, Noem launched the "Meth. We're on It" meth awareness campaign, which faced widespread mockery and criticism for its high cost ($449,000 of public funds) and use of an out-of-state advertising agency. Noem defended the campaign's success in raising awareness.

2019: Consented to South Dakota's Participation in U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program

In 2019, Kristi Noem consented to South Dakota's participation in the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program after a Trump executive order that allowed state and local governments to opt out.

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: Signed Anti-Protest Legislation

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

2019: Abolishment of concealed handgun permit requirement

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

2019: Veto of Hemp Legalization Bill

In 2019, Noem vetoed a bill that passed the South Dakota House and Senate to legalize hemp cultivation, citing concerns about undermining drug laws and making marijuana legalization inevitable.

2019: End of Service in Congress

Kristi Noem served in Congress until 2019, after being reelected three times.

January 1, 2020: Josh Shields Resigns as Chief of Staff

On January 1, 2020, Josh Shields left position as chief of staff.

March 2, 2020: Tony Venhuizen Becomes Chief of Staff

On March 2, 2020, Tony Venhuizen became Noem's chief of staff, succeeding Josh Shields.

March 13, 2020: School Closures Ordered

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

April 6, 2020: Executive Order on CDC Guidelines and Stay-at-Home Order

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 agency said its inspectors would be allowed to wear masks if the meatpacking plants' owners gave the federal employees permission to do so. Inspectors were expected to supply their own masks.

April 2020: Peters Receives Agreed Disposition

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

July 3, 2020: No Social Distancing or Masks 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 Donald Trump present, despite health experts' warnings.

July 20, 2020: Kassidy Peters Receives Letter

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.

August 2020: Speech 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.

October 22, 2020: Record High COVID-19 Hospitalizations

On October 22, 2020, COVID-19 patients hospitalized in South Dakota reached a record high of 355, including 75 in Intensive Care Units.

November 2020: Promotion of Tourism During COVID-19 Surge

In November 2020, Kristi Noem used pandemic relief funds to promote tourism during a surge in COVID-19 cases in South Dakota.

December 8, 2020: Tacit Acknowledgment of Biden Administration

On December 8, 2020, Noem tacitly acknowledged the outcome of the 2020 presidential election when she referred to a "Biden administration" during her annual state budget address, but even after Biden was inaugurated in January, she still refused to accept that the election was "free and fair".

December 2020: No Statewide Mandates

As of December 2020, Kristi Noem was one of few governors who had not maintained statewide stay-at-home orders or face-mask mandates.

2020: Opposition to Cannabis Legalization Measures

In 2020, 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 challenging the recreational use measure, Amendment A.

2020: Summoning of Sherry Bren

In 2020, after Kristi Noem's daughter was denied a real estate appraisal license, Noem summoned Sherry Bren to her office, along with other staff members.

2020: Repealed and Clarified Anti-Riot Legislation

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

2020: Revival of Fence Proposal for Governor's Mansion

In 2020, the 2019 project to build a fence around the governor's mansion was revived based on the recommendations of Noem's security team.

2020: Trump-Pence Ticket Victory in South Dakota

In 2020, the Trump-Pence ticket carried South Dakota, receiving 261,043 votes to 150,471 for the Biden-Harris ticket. Noem was initially designated as one of Trump's presidential electors but later withdrew.

January 6, 2021: Condemnation of Capitol Violence and Criticism of Democratic Senators

After the U.S. Capitol was attacked by a pro-Trump mob on January 6, 2021, Noem spoke out against the violence. However, one day later, she referred to the newly elected Democratic senators from Georgia as "communists," drawing 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.

March 8, 2021: Announcement of 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, which bans transgender athletes from participating in women's school and college sports teams. The bill faced criticism due to potential economic repercussions.

April 23, 2021: Aaron Scheibe Becomes Chief of Staff

On April 23, 2021, Aaron Scheibe replaced Tony Venhuizen to become Noem's chief of staff.

June 2021: 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.

July 1, 2021: Medical Marijuana Legalization

On July 1, 2021, medical marijuana became legal in South Dakota after efforts to delay its implementation failed.

July 2021: Changes in Department of Corrections Leadership and Mask Mandate

In July 2021, Kristi Noem placed Secretary of the Department of Corrections Mike Liedholt on administrative leave, fired South Dakota State Penitentiary Warden Darin Young and Deputy Warden Jennifer Dreiske, and ended the prison's mask mandate despite lingering COVID-19 cases.

August 2021: Hiring of CGL Group and DOC Employee Firings

In August 2021, Kristi Noem announced that the CGL Group was hired to review the Department of Corrections operations, and the director of the prison work program was fired along with two other DOC employees.

September 2021: Extramarital Affair Allegations

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

September 22, 2021: Center for Public Integrity Sues South Dakota National Guard

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

October 2021: Committee Invites Hultman and Bren

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 Agenda

On November 1, 2021, the Government Accountability Board set an agenda to discuss issues based on complaints brought by Ravnsborg.

November 2021: Announced Re-election Campaign for Governor

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

November 2021: Taxpayer dollars spent on mansion upgrades

In late November 2021, it was reported that 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, Noem appointed Mark Miller as her fifth chief of staff, replacing Aaron Scheibe, who had served since May 1, 2021.

December 14, 2021: Bren's Testimony Before 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 and/or Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law around July 20, 2020, after failing to meet the requirements of the Agreed Disposition.

December 15, 2021: Government Accountability Board Refers Complaints

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

December 2021: Support for Bill to Protect Fairness in Women's Sports

In December 2021, Noem and her office indicated their support for a bill called "An Act to Protect Fairness in women's sports," which would require young athletes to join teams aligned with their sex assigned at birth.

2021: Lawsuit over Mount Rushmore fireworks

In 2021, Kristi Noem sued U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to reinstate fireworks at Mount Rushmore for Independence Day, a practice halted in 2009 due to fire risks. Noem hired a private law firm using South Dakota taxpayer funds, but the U.S. District Court dismissed the suit. An appeal was later filed on July 13.

2021: Signing of Religious Refusal Bill

In 2021, 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. The legislation, S.B. 124, was criticized by civil rights groups for potentially enabling discrimination.

January 21, 2022: "Prayer bill" Defeated in Committee

On January 21, 2022, the "prayer bill", HB 1015, which sought to have prayer put back in school, was defeated in the House Education Committee by a vote of 9–6. An aide to Noem admitted that no schools were consulted about the proposal.

February 3, 2022: Government Accountability Board Refers Second Complaint

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

February 2022: Jamie Smith announced Seeking Democratic Nomination

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

February 24, 2022: Introduction of House Resolution 7004

On February 24, 2022, Republican State Representative John Mills introduced House Resolution 7004 against Kristi Noem, addressing her "unacceptable actions in matters related to the appraiser certification program".

March 14, 2022: Bawek Files Lawsuit

On March 14, 2022, Stephany Bawek 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: Banning TikTok from state-owned devices

In 2022, Kristi Noem issued an order to ban TikTok from state-owned devices due to concerns about the Chinese Communist Party using gathered information to manipulate Americans.

2022: Denies Scientific Consensus on Climate Change

In 2022, Kristi Noem stated she doesn't believe the science has proven humans are affecting the climate.

2022: RV Park Proposal in Custer State Park

In 2022, Noem proposed locating a government-paid RV park in Custer State Park, which faced opposition due to concerns about competing with private businesses and disturbing the park's natural environment. The bill was effectively killed after being deferred by the House Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee.

2022: Legislature Rejected Gun Range Proposal

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

2022: National Defense Authorization Act Ban

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

2022: Revocation of Legal Protections for Immigrants

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

September 2023: Endorsement of Trump in Republican Primaries

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

September 2023: Openness to Serve as Trump's Running Mate

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

September 2023: Further Reports of Affair

In September 2023, the New York Post and the Daily Mail published similar reports about Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski. Noem's spokesman denied these reports.

2023: Granddaughter's Shotgun and Pony

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

2023: Opposed Subsidized Child Care

In 2023, Kristi Noem opposed subsidized child care, stating, "I just don't think it's the government's job to pay or to raise people's children for them".

2023: Prohibiting Tencent Applications

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.

2023: Funneling Fees into Personal Company

In 2023, while governor, Noem funneled $80,000 in fees from a nonprofit into her personal company and failed to disclose it in her federal ethics filings upon joining DHS, violating disclosure rules.

January 2024: Noem's 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".

February 2024: Tied as Top Choice for Trump's Running Mate

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: Trump Acknowledges Noem as Potential Running Mate

In March 2024, CNN reported that Trump had shown increased interest in Noem as his running mate.

March 2024: Promotion of Smile Texas

In March 2024, Kristi Noem shared a video promoting a cosmetic dentist business, Smile Texas, claiming it helped her after losing her front teeth in a biking accident. This led to her being associated with cosmetic surgery trends.

March 2024: Noem's Comments on Tribal Leaders and Reservations

In March 2024, Kristi Noem stated that there were "some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefiting from the cartels being there" and that 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.'" She also spoke about unemployment and lack of hope among children on reservations.

March 2024: Appearance at Trump Rally in Ohio

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

April 2024: Reversed Support for Federal Abortion Ban

In April 2024, Kristi Noem announced that she had reversed her support for a federal ban on abortion, stating her belief that abortion law should be determined at the state level.

April 2024: Waning Odds of Being Selected as Trump's Running Mate

In April 2024, it was reported that Noem's chances of being selected as Trump's running mate had decreased due to her stance on abortion and the controversial content in her book, "No Going Back".

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: Controversy over "No Going Back" Excerpts

In April 2024, pre-release excerpts of Kristi Noem's second autobiography, "No Going Back", received broad criticism. The excerpt describes Noem shooting and killing her 14-month-old wirehaired pointer, Cricket, and her family's goat.

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, Kristi 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 Noem to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security in his second term.

2024: Prohibiting governments from buying agricultural land

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

2024: Tribes Ban Noem from Tribal Lands

In 2024, all nine tribes of South Dakota banned Kristi Noem from entering any tribal lands after demanding an apology for her comments about them.

January 2025: Noem Apologizes to 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 her from its land.

January 17, 2025: Confirmation Hearing

On January 17, 2025, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a confirmation hearing for Noem.

January 25, 2025: Sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security

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

April 2025: Deportation Numbers Claimed by Trump Administration

As of April 2025, the Trump administration claimed that approximately 140,000 people had been deported, though some estimates placed the actual number around half of that.

June 2025: Reported Failure to Disclose Past Income

In June 2025, ProPublica reported that Noem failed to disclose past income from a dark money group in her federal ethics filings upon joining DHS, a violation of disclosure rules according to ethics experts.

June 17, 2025: Hospitalization for Allergic Reaction

On June 17, 2025, Kristi Noem was hospitalized for an unspecified allergic reaction but was released that night.

September 2025: Report on Corey Lewandowski's Role in DHS

In September 2025, New York Magazine reported that Corey Lewandowski held a significant but unpublicized role in the Department of Homeland Security, acting as Noem's "de facto chief of staff" and engaging in an extramarital affair with her.

September 2025: Ongoing Relationship Reported

In September 2025, New York Magazine reported that the romantic relationship between Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski is ongoing, and that Lewandowski plays a significant role in running the Department of Homeland Security.

2025: Deployment of Coast Guard Resources after Potomac River Collision

After the 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision, Noem deployed U.S. Coast Guard resources for search and rescue efforts.

2025: Presidential Aspirations and Biden's Dog

In 2025, Kristi Noem wrote in her memoir of imagining herself becoming president and suggesting Joe Biden's dog, Commander, should be killed, referencing her own dog Cricket.

2026: Incorrect Definition of Habeas Corpus

During a May 2026 Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, Noem incorrectly defined habeas corpus as a presidential right to remove people from the country, which is actually a constitutional right for detainees to have a court review the legality of their detention.