Political tensions and questions swirling around the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) promise to be a key test for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) as she takes over the department that houses the agency.

Kristi Noem​, Trump's pick to lead the sprawling Department of Homeland Security, took questions from lawmakers on border policies and disaster relief.

President Donald Trump has kicked off his second term with a flurry of executive actions on immigration, the economy, DEI and more. In his first trip since becoming president, Trump on Friday heads to survey hurricane damage recovery in North Carolina and then to Los Angeles to tour devastation from wildfires.

Noem and committee Republicans focused on the border while Democrats asked about foreign and home-grown terrorism during a cordial hearing.

The Senate confirmed Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security on Saturday morning, solidifying a crucial staffing post in President Donald Trump 's Cabinet as he plans to carry out mass deportations.

The US Senate on Saturday confirmed South Dakota governor Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a key agency in President Donald Trump's push to clamp down on illegal immigration.

Noem received 59 votes in favor and 34 votes against, easily clearing the simple majority threshold she needed for confirmation.

The Senate voted on Saturday to confirm Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary, putting a former South Dakota governor in charge of the department at the heart of President Trump’s agenda to crack down on immigration. The vote was 59 to 34.

Noem will oversee immigration law enforcement, counterterrorism, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and more.

Donald Trump loyalist and immigration hardliner Kristi Noem has been confirmed by the Senate to lead the Department of Homeland Security...

The US Senate on Saturday confirmed South Dakota governor Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a key agency in President Donald Trump's push to clamp down on illegal immigration.