MONTGOMERY, Ala — Today, the Senate held its nomination hearing for Governor Kristie Noem, the Trump administration’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“DHS plays a key role in safeguarding the United States from both domestic and international threats. Gov. Noem’s experience is largely state-focused, and she lacks the specialized expertise and operational understanding necessary to oversee the diverse agencies within DHS that are responsible for critical security functions,” said Margaret Huang, president and CEO of Southern Poverty Law Center. “DHS’s vital work—ranging from cybersecurity and counterterrorism to disaster response, infrastructure protection, and border and immigration enforcement—requires a deep knowledge of national security policy and extensive experience in managing complex federal operations.
“Noem’s stances on immigration—particularly border security and family separation—have been shaped by politics rather than informed policy. Her inflammatory and xenophobic rhetoric characterizing the Southern U.S. border as a ‘war zone’ and under threat of an ‘invasion’ perpetuate dangerous narratives that have been pushed by far-right extremists such as the anti-immigrant hate group The Federation for American Immigration Reform. DHS depends on lawful, bipartisan cooperation to effectively protect our nation. Nominating someone with a clear political agenda and no direct experience in these wide-ranging, complex and critical areas risks politicizing the department at a time when national security must be the top priority.
“We urge the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to carefully consider Gov. Noem’s lack of technical expertise in national security. We need a DHS secretary who recognizes the vital role of the government, who understands how its agencies work together to protect national security, and who will prioritize the safety and security of our nation,” Huang concluded.
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