Trump’s selection of Noem for Secretary of Dept. of Homeland Security disrupts South Dakota politics
Donald Trump’s return to power hasn’t just impacted the world and the United States. It’s disrupting South Dakota politics and the future of several ambitious people.
On Tuesday, it was reported that Trump will name his acolyte and wanna-be running mate, Gov. Kristi Noem, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. It has a budget of over $62 billion, with more than 260,000 employees in numerous agencies.
“I have known Kristi for years, and have worked with her on a wide variety of projects,” Trump said in a statement released Tuesday night. “She will be a great part of our mission to Make America Safe Again.”
Noem will be in charge of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Secret Service. Hell, Admiral Noem of landlocked South Dakota will command the Coast Guard!
Is she the best choice for this important post? Maybe not, but her political positions make her appealing to Trump and his mob. Remember, she visited the border and repeatedly called it a “warzone” and sent South Dakota National Guard to Texas, thanks to $1 million donated by Republican billionaire Willis Johnson of Tennessee.
It was blatant politics, which is typical for Noem, easily the most partisan governor in state history.
This is nothing new. During her successful 2010 campaign to unseat Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Noem said she supported tougher border enforcement.
“I support the rights of the State of Arizona, or any other state for that matter, to uphold the law of the land since the federal government has failed to do so,” she said. “Illegal immigration must come to an end. Since the federal government has failed in its leadership on this issue it is not surprising that states have stepped up and are working to enforce the law and secure the border. The last thing the federal government should do is stand in their way.”
When she ran for governor in 2018, defeating Democrat Billie Sutton, she pledged to oppose sanctuary cities that offered safe haven for undocumented people.
As governor, she has repeatedly clashed with tribal authorities, even accusing some of them of being in league with drug cartels. She has been banished from reservations in the state and has had an uneasy relationship with the First People.
Now, she will oversee the DHS’ Tribal Government Affairs team within the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA). It is the designated lead for tribal relations and consultation.
Noem re-emerged on the national stage during the 2024 campaign, even awkwardly dancing next to Trump at one exceedingly weird rally. You can’t make this stuff up — reality has raced past satire.
Noem is almost assured the post, since Trump ordered the three candidates for Senate majority leader, including our own Sen. John Thune, to cancel hearings on his choices for top positions.
“Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner,” Trump posted on X on Sunday. “Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more. This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot let it happen again. We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY!”
Of course, Thune and his two rivals for Senate leadership, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, whimpered and said they would do as commanded.
“One thing is clear: We must act quickly and decisively to get the president’s cabinet and other nominees in place as soon as possible to start delivering on the mandate we’ve been sent to execute, and all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments,” Thune told Fox News Digital. “We cannot let Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats block the will of the American people.”
Separation of powers? Not under King Trump.
Senate Republicans will select the leader of their caucus today (Wednesday, Nov. 13). Trump, who had been No. 2 in the GOP ranks under retiring Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, was long seen as the favorite.
But he and Trump have had an uneasy relationship. After the “grab ‘em” tape emerged in October 2016, Thune said Trump should step aside as the Republican nominee. He has continued to express distrust for Trump ever since, although he did endorse him this year once it was apparent no one could stop him from a third nomination.
Trump denounced Thune after the 2020 election, when the South Dakotan said there was no way to overturn the results, and implored someone to challenge Thune in the 2022 election, urging Noem to jump into the race. She wisely passed on that suicide mission.
“RINO John Thune, ‘Mitch's boy’, should just let it play out. South Dakota doesn't like weakness. He will be primaried in 2022, political career over!!!" Trump posted.
Thune, who has spent his life in politics and government, is a polite, easygoing man who adheres to most of the rules of the game.
Trump is, well, Trump. He smashes through tradition and custom and tries to twist the rules to his satisfaction. If Thune does win today — and it is a secret ballot — the White House and Senate may have some clashes over policy and style.
It would be interesting to see Thune win the post. He defeated Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle, the lone South Dakotan to serve as majority leader, in 2004. Thune charged Daschle with being in Washington too long and losing touch with his home state.
Now, of course, that doesn’t matter.
Thune, 63, was elected to a fourth term in 2022. He told me in 2021 he was pondering retirement, and that his wife Kimberley wanted him to call it a career after 22 years in Congress.
But he was lured into another campaign, since he was assured of victory in our bright red state, and was also aware that McConnell was ready to pack it in. Republicans regained control of the Senate last week, and now Thune is close to assuming one of the most powerful positions in the world.
The question is, will Trump allow him to do so? Even if he does, how much influence will Trump demand over the Senate?
Thune might have wished he had listened to his wife.
Meanwhile, Noem’s departure from Pierre means Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden, who has mostly been in the shadows during Noem’s six years as governor, will take the reins of state government.
Rhoden, a tall, lean, laconic West River rancher, served in the state House of Representatives and the state Senate. He ran for the Republican nomination for Senate in 2014, losing to former Gov. Mike Rounds, who is now in his second term.
Noem was often mentioned as a potential challenger for Rounds in the 2026 primary. Will she use a cabinet position as a springboard to land in the Senate?
Or are her ambitions set on the national level. Trump cannot serve a third term — well, so far, but who knows in this political climate — and Noem has expressed interest in the top job before.
Noem is hoping to replace her current image as a dog- and goat-killing gun nut with one of accomplishments at a much higher level than she currently holds. She turns 53 on Nov. 30, so she has a long road ahead.
What about Rounds? Will he seek a third term in the Senate? Will he return to Pierre and try to become governor again?
How about Attorney General Marty Jackley, who has craved the job for more than a decade. He ran against Noem in a bruising primary battle in 2018, and is widely seen as a candidate in 2026.
Congressman Dusty Johnson just won a fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives and seems assured of a seat there as long as he wishes. But he may want to become governor or a senator.
He has been guided by ambition. In 2010, Dusty stepped away from the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission after winning a second term to become chief of staff for Gov. Dennis Daugaard. He saw up-close how the wheels of state government turn.
Now, with Noem headed to Washington, D.C., so many lives and careers have taken a sharp turn. Who will run for governor, senator or Congress in two years?
Can the Democrats mount a competitive race in any of those contests? Will Sutton, just 40 years old, finally answer the call of his party and run for one of the offices? His Sutton for Governor website is still active.
It’s all up in the air for now. But behind the scenes, there is a lot happening.
Fourth-generation South Dakotan Tom Lawrence has written for several newspapers and websites in South Dakota and other states for four decades. He has contributed to The New York Times, NPR, The London Telegraph, The Daily Beast and other media outlets. Do not republish without permission.
Photo: Noem addresses Sioux Falls group in 2019, public domain, wikimedia commons
