WASHINGTON — The Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary on Saturday, putting the South Dakota governor in charge of a sprawling agency that is essential to national security and President Donald Trump's plans to clamp down on illegal immigration.

Larry Rhoden was officially sworn in as governor of South Dakota on Saturday following the resignation of former Gov. Kristi Noem, who stepped down to assume the role of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.

The farmer and small-business owner turned elected official has made headlines for being a possible vice presidential candidate and killing an "untrainable" dog.

The two term South Dakota Gov. was tapped by Trump in November and will be key in enacting the new president's mass deportation plan.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and will lead the Department of Homeland Security

Kristi Noem to be America's new Secretary of Homeland ... anecdote that she had met reclusive North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un during her time in Congress. The story was later revealed to be ...

Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice ... statement that she had faced down North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un during her time in Congress. It was a largely substantive hearing ...

Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee ... anecdote that she had met reclusive North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un during her time in Congress. The story was later revealed to be ...

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s confirmation as a Trump cabinet secretary probably surprised some people who thought her career ended nine months ago with a notoriously disastrous book release. It’s no surprise to Noem,

Under the Biden administration extension, protections were extended until October 2026. That now reverts to two separate designations – one that expires this April and one in September. Venezuelans would lose their ability to work in the US and be at risk of being deported.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he planned to detain "criminal illegal aliens" at the notorious Guantanamo Bay military prison, used for holding terrorism suspects since the 9/11 attacks.