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A controversial Republican from South Dakota appears before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as the president-elect names Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone, and Jon Voight.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who is Donald Trump’s choice to head the Department of Homeland Security and is known for boasting about killing her dog Cricket in her memoir, is participating in her Senate confirmation hearing after it was unexpectedly delayed earlier this week.
The president-elect has also appointed actors Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone, and Jon Voight as his “special ambassadors” to Hollywood, referring to the Los Angeles entertainment industry as a “great but very troubled place” on Thursday.
“They will act as Special Envoys on my behalf to restore Hollywood, which has lost significant business to foreign countries over the last four years, making it BACK—LARGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER!” Trump shared on Truth Social.
In his final television interview as commander-in-chief, President Joe Biden voiced worries about the condition of American democracy on Thursday night.
Biden expressed to MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell that he is “worried about the fragility of democracy.”
“That might sound clichéd,” he confessed. “But I truly am worried… because I genuinely believe we’re at a pivotal moment in history.”
Biden also reflected on the fact that he “focused too much on policy and not enough on the political aspect.”
KEY POINT
- Kristi Noem’s Senate confirmation hearing has been postponed.
- Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone, and Jon Voight have been appointed as ‘Hollywood ambassadors’ in the Trump administration. Donald Trump discloses a conversation with Xi Jinping regarding trade, Fentanyl, and TikTok.
- Joe Biden expresses concerns about the condition of American democracy in his last interview.
- The Prime Minister of Greenland states, “We do not wish to become Americans.”
Kristi Noem addresses concerns about both the northern and southern borders, rebukes the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for straying from its purpose, and highlights the growing threat of domestic terrorism.
Regarding border security, Noem emphasized the importance of not overlooking the northern border despite the focus on the southern border:
“I think there’s been some universal concern from committee members that as we focus on the southern border and the invasion there, with the number of people crossing, the northern border might lose attention. But that will not happen. The number one threat to our homeland security is the southern border.”
On domestic terrorism, Noem warned about its increasing prevalence:
“Homegrown terrorism is on the rise. We’re seeing more incidents involving U.S. citizens becoming radicalized. Monitoring behaviors, travel patterns, and actions is critically important. DHS resources must be used to identify threats, proactively prevent them, and simultaneously protect civil rights and liberties.”
When asked about cyberattacks, Noem criticized CISA for deviating from its core mission:
“The agency’s mission is to hunt and harden—identify bad actors and work with state and local critical infrastructure to prepare for cyberattacks. It should focus on helping entities recognize vulnerabilities and strengthen their systems. Unfortunately, CISA has gotten far off mission.”
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem emphasized her commitment to keeping Americans “safe and secure” during her recent remarks:
“Securing our homeland is a serious, sacred trust that must be relentlessly pursued and can never be taken for granted. Being safe within our borders is an American right, yet Americans feel less safe than they have in decades. For the first time in 30 years, more than 40 percent of Americans are afraid to walk alone at night within a mile of their home. President-Elect Trump is going to change that.”
Noem also highlighted her accomplishments as governor, reflecting on her efforts to make South Dakota safer and stronger:
“I have led South Dakota for the last six years with a focus every day on making our state safer, stronger, and freer. My decisions have been guided by what’s best not only for today but for future generations.
I’ve managed a state budget exceeding $7 billion and overseen a workforce of over 13,000 state employees, including more than 7,000 reporting directly to the governor. I’ve tackled critical issues such as cybersecurity, human trafficking, drug interdiction, and natural disasters—challenges that many of you and your constituents are also facing.”
Noem Arrives for Senate Confirmation Hearing
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been praised by several seasoned Republican senators, who offered glowing endorsements of her character. She is now delivering her opening remarks, emphasizing the critical need for collaboration among agencies to ensure America’s safety.
Here she is captured shortly after arriving for the hearing.
