Businessman Toby Doeden has advanced to a July 28 runoff for the Republican nomination for South Dakota governor. Gov. Larry Rhoden, Rep. Dusty Johnson and House Speaker Jon Hansen were competing for the second runoff spot after no candidate reached 35% of the vote.
Posts tagged as “Kristi Noem”
Michael Banks, chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, resigns amid a series of leadership changes in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Banks cited family reasons and highlighted his role in securing the border during his tenure.
Former FBI Director James Comey faces new federal charges over an Instagram post interpreted as a threat against former President Trump. The indictment marks the second prosecution of Comey by the Trump-era Justice Department.
Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will leave the agency on May 31 after leading aggressive deportation efforts under President Trump. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin praised Lyons' leadership but did not name a successor.
President Trump plans to nominate Cameron Hamilton as FEMA administrator nearly a year after his removal following testimony defending the agency. Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, previously led FEMA in an acting capacity and criticized plans to dismantle the agency.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has rescinded a policy requiring the secretary’s personal review of contracts over $100,000, a change expected to reduce procurement delays that previously hindered agencies like FEMA, CBP, and ICE. Secretary Markwayne Mullin emphasized empowering agency components to make decisions and has also begun reevaluating ICE’s detention facility plans. Meanwhile, amid a partial government shutdown affecting DHS operations, congressional leaders proposed a two-track funding plan to reopen DHS and address immigration enforcement funding separately, though political disagreements continue to stall progress.
Senator Markwayne Mullin was confirmed as the new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security by a 54-45 Senate vote, replacing Kristi Noem amid controversy over her leadership. Mullin’s appointment comes during a prolonged DHS shutdown caused by Democratic demands for immigration enforcement reforms, which remain unresolved despite the leadership change. Known for bipartisan relationships, Mullin has pledged to empower personnel and implement policy shifts such as requiring judicial warrants for enforcement actions, while his confirmation drew both cross-party support and criticism.
The U.S. Senate advanced Senator Markwayne Mullin's nomination for Secretary of Homeland Security with bipartisan support despite controversy during his hearing. Meanwhile, a partial DHS shutdown due to a funding impasse has caused staffing shortages and operational disruptions, particularly at airports, prompting ICE agents to assist TSA officers. The shutdown results from ongoing disputes between Democrats and Republicans over immigration enforcement policies, with bipartisan negotiations ongoing to restore full DHS operations.