President-elect Trump chose South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R) direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to a source familiar with the decision.

Noem was previously launched as possible vice-presidential candidate for Trump, but his consideration plummeted after the publication of his autobiographyin which she describes killing a dog it was “untrainable.”

Instead, the Republican governor will be tasked with leading the sprawling agency charged with protecting the United States from terrorist threats, securing the borders and enforcing U.S. immigration law. Trump also responsible for DHS by leading the “largest deportation operation in American history.”

Noem’s choice is the latest sign of Trump’s intention to take a hard line on immigration policy, with a program he says will amount to the largest deportation in U.S. history.

If confirmed, Noem would work closely with Stephen Miller, whom Trump asked to serve as deputy chief of staff for policy. Miller was instrumental in crafting many of Trump’s toughest immigration policies during his first term.

Trump also chose Tom Homan as his “border tsar” Welcoming the return of an early proponent of child separation during the first Trump administration who, in discussing the incoming Trump administration’s immigration plans, recently said that “families can be deported together.”

Noem has little national security experience, but she has sent the South Dakota National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border and has been vocal on immigration issues.

“South Dakota will not accept any illegal immigrants that the Biden administration wishes to relocate. My message to illegal immigrants… call me when you’re American,” Noem wrote on social platform X in 2021, shortly after President Biden took office.

She also supported Trump’s Muslim travel ban while she was a member of Congress and also supported suspending some refugee screenings.

“I share the president’s concerns about our ability to screen refugees, particularly those from terrorist areas,” Noem said in 2017. “I support a temporary pause in accepting refugees from areas controlled by terrorists, at least until the administration can certify that asylum seekers do not pose a threat to U.S. security. »

Noem had also previously been floated as a possible Interior secretary.

“I love being governor of South Dakota, and President Trump knows I will help him in any way I can,” Noem said at the time.

Noem was a regular at Trump’s side on the campaign trail, including at an event that turned into music listening session after several medical emergencies among the participants.

DHS includes a number of key public safety agencies. Beyond its immigration duties, it also includes the Secret Service, the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

It also includes the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which is responsible for helping businesses prevent cyberattacks as well as attacks on physical infrastructure.

The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

Brett Samuels contributed.

Updated at 10:32 a.m. EST

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