‘Safer, stronger, and freer’: Securing the border set to feature large in Noem’s opening remarks to Senate

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is set to make securing the nation’s border a focal point in her opening remarks to Senate lawmakers as she seeks confirmation as the next secretary of homeland security. In exclusive information obtained by Fox News Digital, Noem is expected to emphasize the importance of protecting the homeland and ensuring the safety of Americans within the country’s borders.
In her opening statement, Noem is expected to address the growing concerns of Americans, with more than 40% expressing fear of walking alone at night near their homes for the first time in 30 years. She will assert that securing the border is a fundamental American right that cannot be taken for granted, and she will pledge to work tirelessly to restore a sense of safety and security to the nation.
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security, citing her efforts to secure the southern border amid the immigration crisis under the Biden administration. Noem has a track record of deploying National Guard troops to border states and has repeatedly sent South Dakota National Guard troops to Texas to assist in stemming illegal border crossings.
Noem’s opening remarks will highlight her rural roots and experience as a wife, mother, grandmother, farmer, rancher, businesswoman, and governor. She will stress her commitment to serving and protecting the American people, emphasizing the need to create a fair and lawful immigration system that reflects American values.
The DHS oversees several key agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Noem’s remarks will underscore her support for these agencies and her dedication to providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to carry out their missions effectively.
Noem will also showcase her leadership skills, highlighting her experience leading South Dakota for the past six years and overseeing a state budget of over $7 billion and a workforce of more than 13,000 state employees. She will emphasize her focus on making the state safer, stronger, and freer, addressing important issues such as cybersecurity, human trafficking, drug interdiction, and natural disasters.
If confirmed, Noem plans to prioritize resiliency in the face of disasters and enhance FEMA’s capabilities to respond swiftly and effectively to protect the lives and property of Americans. She will also focus on cybersecurity, vowing to protect the nation’s energy grids and financial systems from foreign adversaries and criminal actors.
Noem’s nomination has garnered endorsements from several police groups and unions, as well as high-profile figures such as Republican Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and the International Association of Firefighters. She is expected to work with Congress and the dedicated men and women of the DHS to fulfill the mission of ensuring the United States remains a beacon of freedom, safety, and security for generations to come.
As she prepares to face the Senate committee, Noem is poised to make a compelling case for her confirmation as the next secretary of homeland security, promising to work diligently to secure the nation’s borders and protect the American people.