# Kristi Noem: American Politician and Former Governor ## Early Life and Background Kristi Lynn Arnold was born on November 30, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota, to Corinne and Ron Arnold. Raised on the family ranch near Hazel, South Dakota, she has Norwegian ancestry and is a descendant of Revolutionary War veteran Ephraim Wilson. She attended Hamlin High School in Hayti, where she was crowned South Dakota Snow Queen in 1990. Although she enrolled at Northern State University in 1990, she left before graduating in 1994 after her father's death in a grain bin accident and her daughter Kassidy's birth. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from South Dakota State University in 2012 while serving in Congress. ## Political Career ### South Dakota House of Representatives (2007-2011) Noem won a seat in the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2006, representing the 6th district. She was reelected in 2008 and served as assistant majority leader during her second term. She sponsored 11 bills that became law, including property tax reforms and gun rights legislation. ### U.S. House of Representatives (2011-2019) Elected to South Dakota's at-large congressional district in 2010, Noem served three terms. She was a freshman Republican leader and co-sponsored bills to ban abortion after 20 weeks and federally define human life at fertilization. She also supported the Keystone XL Pipeline and opposed EPA regulations on air pollution. ### Governor of South Dakota (2019-2025) Noem became South Dakota's first female governor in 2019. Her tenure included signing abortion restrictions, opposing subsidized childcare, and banning transgender athletes from women's sports. She faced criticism for her COVID-19 response, including opposing mask mandates and promoting tourism during a surge. Her administration also faced ethics investigations and conflicts with Native American tribes. ### Secretary of Homeland Security (2025-2026) Trump nominated Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security in 2024. Confirmed by the Senate in 2025, she rescinded temporary protected status for Venezuelans and Cubans. Her tenure was marked by controversies over migrant deportations, the handling of ICE raids, and the use of government funds for luxury jets and advertisements. She was impeached by the House in 2026 and resigned in March 2026. ## Key Policies and Controversies Noem is a conservative Republican with strong stances on gun rights, abortion, and immigration. Her policies as governor and Secretary of Homeland Security generated significant controversy, including opposition to abortion exceptions for rape and incest, the use of private jets for government business, and conflicts with Native American tribes. Her memoir *No Going Back* (2024) sparked criticism for its account of killing her family's dog and false claims about meeting foreign leaders. ## Personal Life Noem married Bryon Noem in 1992 and has three children. She is a Protestant and a rancher. Her family attended a Foursquare Church in Watertown. She has faced scrutiny over an extramarital affair with Corey Lewandowski and her role in the Department of Homeland Security. ## Legacy Noem's political career reflects a consistent conservative agenda, but her tenure as Secretary of Homeland Security was marred by ethical controversies and impeachment proceedings. She remains a prominent figure in the Republican Party and a potential future presidential candidate.