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Confirmation Hearing Highlights Trump’s Agenda for Homeland Security
During her confirmation hearing on Friday, Kristi Noem, President-elect Trump’s nominee for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), expressed sharp criticisms regarding the agency’s current workforce. Despite voicing intentions to bolster employee morale, her remarks painted a picture of an agency in need of significant reforms.
Noem, the Governor of South Dakota, presented her perspective to the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, acknowledging that many DHS components have become misaligned with their core missions. She positioned herself as an agent of change ready to implement a series of policy reversals from the outgoing Biden administration, aligning closely with Trump’s campaign promises.
Among Noem’s proposed changes is the reinstatement of physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. She pledged to prioritize this initiative immediately and to dismantle the CBP One app, which allows immigrants to arrange appointments with DHS personnel. Additionally, she committed to reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy that mandates migrants remain outside U.S. borders pending asylum interviews, coupled with an end to the current practice of releasing migrants into the U.S. after detention.
Many of these initiatives, particularly Trump’s plan to significantly ramp up deportations of undocumented immigrants, would necessitate enhanced resources and staffing within DHS. While Noem did not elaborate on strategies to expand the department’s workforce, other congressional leaders highlighted this need. Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma pointed to previous bipartisan attempts to boost DHS hiring as crucial for managing increased border inspections.
In a show of support, Senate Majority Leader John Thune also emphasized the necessity of allocating sufficient resources to DHS, stating that investing in immigration enforcement was a priority for Republicans. He indicated ongoing efforts to ensure Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is bolstered with additional agents and detention capabilities.
Amidst her criticisms, Noem acknowledged the dedication of Border Patrol and ICE employees. She affirmed her commitment to providing these agencies with the necessary tools and resources for effective law enforcement, stating, “The bravery and the dedication of the Border Patrol and ICE are unmatched, and I will restore dignity to their work.”
Noem characterized DHS as “broken and dysfunctional,” underscoring the need for reforms within the U.S. Secret Service and other agencies. She criticized the agency for straying from its fundamental purpose and noted that staffing shortages had compromised its effectiveness. Noem also commented on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) response to recent disasters, calling it inadequate, and expressed concerns about the direction of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
“I’ll be following the Constitution and the rule of law and then getting these departments back on mission to why they were created and why they are existing,” Noem asserted, framing her vision for DHS as one that prioritizes its foundational objectives.
The current low morale among DHS employees was another significant issue raised by Noem. Historically, DHS has ranked poorly in employee satisfaction across federal agencies, although recent reports indicate slight improvements. Noem pledged to enhance job satisfaction by allowing employees to perform their duties effectively and reminding them of their roles.
Furthermore, Noem remarked on reports that some DHS employees are “not showing up,” although data suggest that the majority of the workforce is present at their duty stations for the vast majority of their working hours. Noem suggested that those who do utilize telework may lack commitment to their mission of protecting the nation.
Source
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