Border czar Tom Homan praised Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Homeland Security secretary after meeting with her, saying “she understands” what it takes to tackle the migrant crisis.
Homan told The Post he and Noem had a productive discussion at Mar-a-Lago recently to strategize about sealing the border and carrying out mass deportations, adding that their chat made him “very confident she’s going to do a great job.”
“I briefed her on many of my plans and my thoughts,” said Homan, who wouldn’t elaborate on details of what the two discussed. “She asked very, very detailed questions, so she understands it.”
Trump tapped South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to serve as the secretary of Department of Homeland Security. Bloomberg via Getty Images“She has a few ideas of her own I think will add to what we’re trying to do. So I think she’s a fast learner and she’s engaged 100%, I think she’s a great pick,” he added.
When asked about the details of Noem’s plans for DHS, Homan said he’s “not yet” ready to share them.
Homan has previously shared some of his plans for addressing illegal immigration, saying he’d “flood” sanctuary cities with ICE agents if those areas refuse to work with the feds. He also has said the incoming administration will use the military to aid ICE in carrying out deportations.
If confirmed, Noem will oversee the operations of federal border authorities and immigration officers as the Trump administration seeks to shut down illegal crossings and carry out mass deportations.
While serving as South Dakota governor, Noem was the first to deploy state National Guard troops to the border to help Texas deter illegal crossings.
Tom Homan previously served as Trump’s acting ICE director during his previous administration. Bloomberg via Getty Images
Tom Homan speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, US, on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Bloomberg via Getty ImagesShe has also called for punishing sanctuary cities that don’t cooperate with the feds and fought against a federal court ruling that found some Arizona voting laws disadvantaged minority voters.
“Kristi has been very strong on Border Security. She was the first Governor to send National Guard Soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden Border Crisis, and they were sent a total of eight times,” Trump said in a statement when he announced his Homeland Security pick.
“She will work closely with ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan to secure the Border, and will guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries.”
