Kristi Noem nomination clears key Senate hurdle as eight Democrats signal support for Trump’s DHS pick 

Department of Homeland Security Secretary-designate Kristi Noem inched closer to Senate confirmation Friday after lawmakers voted to end debate on her nomination with eight Democrats signaling support for President Trump’s pick. 

The 61-39 result tees up a final Saturday morning roll call vote on the Republican South Dakota governor’s Cabinet nomination. 

Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Andy Kim of New Jersey, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Gary Peters of Michigan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire joined all Republicans in voting to break a filibuster on Noem’s nomination. 

The vote on moving Noem forward passed moments after Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, was confirmed after Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote.  

If confirmed, Noem, 53, will lead the agency tasked with overseeing US Customs and Border Protection, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US Secret Service among several other entities. 

Trump, 78, has indicated that Noem will work closely with border czar Tom Homan to secure the nation’s borders. 

During her confirmation hearing, Noem described the southern border as a “war zone” and pledged to provide Border Patrol agents all the resources they need to reverse the flow of migrants. 

She called border security a “top priority” for the country, while also insisting on the need for a “fair and lawful immigration system.” 

The Senate will reconvene Saturday morning and vote on Noem’s confirmation at 11:30 a.m., followed by a vote to advance Trump’s Treasury secretary pick, Scott Bessent.

The vote to confirm Bessent will take place Monday at  5:30 p.m., followed by a vote to advance Transportation Secretary-designate Sean Duffy’s nomination. 

Duffy’s confirmation vote is slated for 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday.