What’s next for Noem and South Dakota?

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – President-elect Donald Trump has selected Governor Kristi Noem as his Homeland Security Secretary, meaning a change in leadership will likely be coming to South Dakota soon.

If Noem is seated as Secretary, she would be the first Governor in nearly 30 years to not complete two terms in office.

In 1993, Governor George Mickelson was killed in an airplane crash, leading Lieutenant Governor Walter Dale Miller to finish his term.

Noem’s cabinet nomination will need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The selection, with Republicans having the majority, will likely be approved.

“I don’t expect any real and substantial opposition to her confirmation by the Senate. The issue is time,” Michael Card, University of South Dakota Political Science Professor Emeritus said.

Noem’s appointment, if conducted by the Senate, would not happen until next year when the new session of Congress begins. However, President Trump has been calling for whoever receives the vote for Senate Majority Leader on Wednesday to “agree to Recess Appointments,” in which he would be able to install nominees without Senate confirmation.

Noem would then be able to quickly use her experience in South Dakota and try to fulfill a Trump campaign promise and secure the southern border, one of the many responsibilities of the position.

“I think in a lot of states, the Mexican cartels have been targeting the reservations because they are sovereign nations. I’m hoping that we take that awareness and we can really work on those issues from a national standpoint,” Rep. Kevin Jensen of Canton said.

With Noem heading to Washington, Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden will likely fill her position as governor and finish her term, which ends in early 2027.

Representative Jensen, who will serve as a Majority Whip in next year’s legislative session, expects a smooth transition for Noem’s exit.

“Governor Rhoden, if that happens, would likely keep the same staff. He would probably only make changes if they were directly not in favor of changes he would like to make,” Jensen said.

Rhoden will have his own policy plans to work through, but he may bring a fresh perspective for a likely very busy 2025 legislative session.

“I wouldn’t underestimate the challenges with the newly elected legislative leadership. We know they were going to have some real battles with Governor Noem. This may just dissipate those,” Card said.

Those leadership positions were announced over the weekend, you can find all of the appointments here.

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