Trump nominee Kristi Noem confirmed as secretary of Homeland Security

"The yeas are 59, the nays are 34. The nomination is confirmed," announced Republican Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall.

With that, Trump nominee Kristi Noem becomes the eighth secretary of Homeland Security.

Noem will take over the role from Acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman, who was serving as a placeholder pending Noem's confirmation.

Noem is expected to execute President Donald Trump's executive orders regarding border security and immigration while overseeing the Customs and Border Protection, Secret Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other agencies.

To take the position, Noem resigned as South Dakota's governor. She will be replaced in that role by Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden.

"As you assume the role of Governor, please remember our state motto: ‘Under God, the People Rule.’ I chose you because I knew that you would approach the role the same way that I did," Noem said to Rhoden in her resignation letter.

Noem's nomination was far less controversial than other picks Donald Trump has made so far.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was confirmed by the slimmest margin possible after Vice President JD Vance stepped in to cast the tiebreaking vote to ensure Hegseth's nomination.

Tulsi Gabbard is also facing a bit of a battle in her quest to become the Director of National Intelligence, with three Republican senators being rumored to be likely "no" votes.

Republicans currently hold a 53-47 advantage in the Senate, which puts Gabbard right around the same 50-50 margin that Hegseth needed JD Vance to break the tie on.

Luckily for Republicans who are tired of the stress of close votes, Noem was confirmed via a relatively comfortable margin.

"Kristi has been very strong on Border Security," Trump said about his nominee. "I have known Kristi for years and have worked with her on a wide variety of projects – She will be a great part of our mission to Make America Safe Again."

Do you agree with the Senate that Kristi Noem was a good pick for this position?