The senator quizzes Noem on how she will work with Homan: ‘Who is in charge?’

Kristi Noem, President-elect Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, was asked Friday how she would work with “border czar” Tom Homan and who is responsible for securing the U.S. border.

Late. Andy Kim, DN.J., asked Noem at his Senate confirmation hearing who “should be in charge of the border,” saying he was unsure how her role relates to Homan’s.

“Well, the president will be responsible for the border. It’s a national security issue. And the president is responsible for this country and has made a promise to the American people and we will fulfill his agenda,” Noem responded.

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Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota and nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security, during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in Washington, DC, on Friday, January 17, 2025. (Getty)

Kim said that was a “good answer” but sought clarification, asking what the split is between her and Homan.

“I’m trying to get a better sense of who’s in charge,” he said.

Noem called Homan “an incredible human being.”

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Trump-to-be “border czar” Tom Homan talks to Fox News. (Fox News)

“He’s an adviser to the president, the border czar. I will obviously stay, if nominated and confirmed, and put in the position of secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and responsible for the authorities that we have in the actions that we take,” she said.

Kim backed down, citing remarks by Homan who said he would make decisions on border security and deportations.

“So I raise that just as a concern to me because it’s not only about the functioning of our executive branch, but also the ability of this committee to be able to carry out our constitutional duties of oversight, our ability to be able to have that conversation , we can talk to you, engage with you,” he said.

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“If he has to make decisions, then he should also come before this committee.”

Noem responded by saying that she and Homan “work very well together and talk and communicate all the time. And we will work together on a daily basis when we are in our positions under the new administration. And I will say that there is no is any authority planned to be taken from the department or myself if I am in the role.”