Democrats Trust Kristi Noem. I Do Not!
In a surprising move, seven Democratic senators crossed party lines to confirm Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, helping secure her nomination with a 59–34 vote. This bipartisan support is framed as a gesture of good faith, but it raises serious questions about judgment and trust — questions that cannot be ignored.
Noem, a former governor with a long history of aligning herself with Trumpism, is now in charge of one of the most critical agencies in the federal government. While these Democratic senators may believe they’re showing bipartisan pragmatism, I see this as a dangerous miscalculation.
Who Are the Democrats That Backed Noem?
The following seven Democratic senators voted to confirm Kristi Noem:
- John Fetterman (Pennsylvania)
- Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire)
- Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire)
- Tim Kaine (Virginia)
- Andy Kim (New Jersey)
- Gary Peters (Michigan)
- Elissa Slotkin (Michigan)
These are experienced lawmakers who should understand the stakes of their decisions. Their votes, however, signal either a troubling underestimation of Noem’s alignment with Trump’s divisive policies or a willingness to compromise principles in the name of bipartisanship.
Why Noem Should Not Be Trusted
Kristi Noem’s track record speaks volumes:
- Partisan Loyalty Over Principle: As a staunch Trump ally, Noem has consistently supported his most extreme positions, often doubling down on rhetoric that undermines democratic norms.
- Questionable Pandemic Leadership: Her handling of COVID-19 in South Dakota was marked by a refusal to implement basic public health measures, prioritizing ideology over public safety.
- Trumpism’s Enabler: Noem has championed policies and positions that align her with the most controversial aspects of Trump’s presidency, including his attacks on immigration and his revisionist stance on January 6th.
Placing someone with this record in charge of Homeland Security is not a step toward unity or stability — it’s a gamble that risks further entrenching divisiveness and partisanship.
Democrats’ Misguided Calculations
The Democrats who supported Noem’s confirmation likely see this as a strategic compromise. Perhaps they believe it demonstrates bipartisanship or hope Noem’s leadership at Homeland Security will be more pragmatic than ideological. But this is the same flawed logic that has been used time and time again to justify empowering figures who ultimately advance Trump’s authoritarian agenda.
This vote isn’t pragmatism; it’s capitulation. It signals to Trump and his allies that Democrats are willing to extend olive branches, even to those who openly align with his dangerous rhetoric.
I Do Not Trust Kristi Noem
Unlike these Democrats, I do not trust Kristi Noem. Her record shows that her loyalty lies not with the principles of democracy or governance, but with the whims of Trumpism. She is part of a movement that prioritizes power over accountability, divisiveness over unity, and rhetoric over results.
Democrats who voted for her confirmation need to explain why they chose to trust someone who has repeatedly aligned herself with anti-democratic forces. Because while they may hope for bipartisanship, I fear this decision will only embolden those who seek to undermine the very principles they claim to uphold.
Noem’s confirmation is not a win for the country — it’s a warning sign of misplaced trust. And I, for one, will not be fooled.
