‘Safer, stronger and freer’: Securing the border takes center stage in Noem’s opening remarks to the Senate

FIRST ON FOX: Securing the state border will be of great importance South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem opening remarks to Senate lawmakers on Friday as he works to lock in his confirmation as the next Homeland Security secretary, Fox News Digital has learned exclusively.

“Securing our homeland is a serious, sacred trust that must be pursued tirelessly and that can never be taken for granted. Being safe within our borders is an American right, but Americans feel less safe than they have in decades. For the first time in 30 . , more than 40% of Americans are afraid to walk alone at night within a mile of their home,” Noem is expected to tell the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on Friday morning at his opening remarks.

“President-elect Trump will change that.”

Fox News Digital has exclusively obtained a copy of the South Dakota Republican’s opening statement, which not only showcases Naomi’s vision for a safe and secure nation, but also highlights her rural roots and life in the Mount Rushmore state.

“I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a farmer, a rancher, a businesswoman and a governor,” according to a copy of the remarks. “I have spent my life in rural America. I understand what it means to work hard every day to build a better future for our children and our communities. I come before you today with a deep sense of responsibility and humility as a candidate to lead the Department of Homeland Security and the commitment of more than 330 million Americans, whom we will serve to keep them safe in their homes, their communities and their country.”

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President-elect Donald Trump announced NOem as his choice to lead DHS shortly after his decisive victory over Harris in November, pointing to her efforts to secure the southern border amid the immigration crisis under the Biden administration.

DHS oversees US Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs EnforcementUS Secret Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Naomi’s opening remarks focused heavily on securing the border, including highlighting that she was the first governor to deploy National Guard troops to border states in 2022. It has been several times since then deployed South Dakota National Guard troops to the southern border in Texas to help stop illegal border crossings as part of Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star.

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“As a nation, we have a right and a responsibility to secure our borders from those who would do us harm. And we must create a fair and legal immigration system that is efficient and effective and that reflects our values. President Trump was elected with a clear mandate to achieve this mission. Two-thirds of Americans support his immigration and border policies, including most Hispanics.”

“I was the first governor to send National Guard troops to Texas when they were overwhelmed by an unprecedented border crisis. If confirmed as secretary, I will ensure that our exceptional, outstanding f agents have ALL the tools, resources and support they need to effectively carry out their mission. The same goes for the excellent men and women of immigration and law enforcement whose responsibility it is to catch, detain, and deport illegal immigrants help make America’s communities safe again,” a copy of her statement reads.

Noem is also to be commended for his leadership skills in remarks, including leading the nation’s Mount Rushmore for the past six years, including overseeing thousands of civil servants.

“I have led South Dakota for the past 6 years with a focus every day on making our state safer, stronger and freer. Every day I have focused on making the best decisions not only for now, but for generations to come. I have overseen the state budget of over $7 billion and a government employee workforce of more than 13,000, including more than 7,000 reporting to the governor cybersecurity, human trafficking, drug interdiction and natural disasters – same the challenges many of you face here and the people you represent at home.”

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Noem will join the Senate committee with a stack of high-profile endorsements behind him, including at least eight police groups and unions backing the South Dakota governor for DHS.

Crises also erupted in the final days of the Biden administration, including a terrorist attack that rocked New Orleans early New Year and raging fires in the Los Angeles area. After the attack, Noem received support from Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who warned that now was “no time to play games” while urging Senate lawmakers to quickly confirm Noem. Although the massive and historically democratic firefighters union, the International Association of Fire Fighters, also endorsed Noem as the California wildfires first raged earlier this month.

Noem is expected to note that, if confirmed, it will emphasize resilience in the face of disaster.

“I understand that homeland security is not only about prevention, but also about resilience. When disaster strikes, as we know it will, the Department of Homeland Security must be ready to respond quickly, efficiently and effectively to protect American lives and property. As governor, radio alone with FEMA in response to a dozen natural disasters in South Dakota historical floods, tornadoesblizzards, wildfires, derechos, and even a global pandemic. As Secretary, I will improve our emergency preparedness and strengthen FEMA’s capabilities. We will ensure that no community is left behind and that life-saving services like electricity and water are quickly restored,” she said.

It is also ready to pay attention to the country’s cybersecurity, promising to prioritize protecting the nation’s energy grids and financial systems from “foreign adversaries and criminal actors.”

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“In the coming days, we must think and plan bigger, faster and smarter. I fully acknowledge that we in Washington do not have all the answers. Therefore, I will take advantage of public-private partnerships and advance state-of-the-art, state-of-the-art technologies to protect our country’s digital landscape. I have a proven track record doing this in South Dakota and helping make the University of Dakota a global leader in cybersecurity education as we recognize the need to address this emerging threat, I will take this proactive approach if given the opportunity to serve as secretary,” reads a copy of the remarks.

Noem has served as governor of South Dakota since 2019, gaining national attention and praise from conservatives during the pandemic when her state avoided quarantine orders and masks common in liberal states like California and New York.

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“I am committed work with this committee, with Congress and with the dedicated men and women of the Department of Homeland Security to accomplish our mission. Together, we can ensure that the United States remains a beacon of freedom, safety, and security for generations to come. Thank you for the opportunity and the honor of appearing before you today. I look forward to your questions. I hope to earn your trust and hopefully your vote as we embark on this critical work together,” he is expected to say Friday morning.