President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Governor Kristi Noem to head the Department of Homeland Security.

The Tuesday announcement places Ms Noem at the forefront of Mr Trump’s efforts to enact a sweeping immigration crackdown.

Mr Trump, in a statement on social media, lauded Ms Noem’s stance on border security, praising her decision to send National Guard troops to the Texas-Mexico border during her tenure as governor. 

Ms Noem, a strong advocate for stricter border security, will oversee agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

Ms Noem said she was “honoured and humbled” to be appointed to lead Homeland Security, looking to “working with Border Czar Tom Homan to make America SAFE again.”

“We will secure the border and restore safety to American communities, so families will again have the opportunity to pursue the American Dream,” Ms Noem.

The 52-year-old has built a reputation as a tough conservative leader focusing on state rights and fiscal conservatism. 

Serving as South Dakota’s first female governor since 2019, Ms Noem has earned national attention for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for fewer restrictions and emphasising personal responsibility. 

Her stance on immigration has also garnered significant focus, particularly during the Biden administration’s challenges at the southern border. 

In 2021, Ms Noem famously stated she would refuse entry to any migrants not authorised to enter the country, a message that resonated strongly with Mr Trump’s base.

Should Noem be confirmed by the Senate, she will inherit a department that oversees a wide range of responsibilities, including the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and a variety of agencies tasked with national security.

The position, however, comes with high expectations, as history shows that Mr Trump has been dissatisfied with several past Homeland Security heads, cycling through six leaders during his first term.

Ms Noem’s appointment will test her ability to navigate the complex challenges of securing U.S. borders while managing an agency that has been at the centre of several controversies, including criticism of the Secret Service’s handling of two assassination attempts against Mr Trump during the 2020 campaign.