Trump names Future Officials for Department of Homeland Security and Border Duties

President-elect Donald Trump has named several future cabinet and administration officials, including, among others, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the Secretary of Homeland Security, and Thomas Homan as the “Border Czar.” The President-elect also nominated Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, and indicated that Stephen Miller will be White House deputy chief of staff for policy as well as the President-elect’s homeland security advisor.  

Ms. Noem is expected to be vetted by the Senate as part of the nomination process. She has taken hard line positions on border security in the past and previously joined Republican governors in sending troops to the border to assist in “Operation Lone Star” an effort by Texas to discourage migration across the Texas border. Mr. Homan is a former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the previous Trump administration. His duties and his relationship to DHS are unclear, as “border czar” is not a recognized cabinet position. However, according to a post on Truth Social from Trump, Mr. Homan will be “in charge of our Nation’s Borders (“The Border Czar”), including, but not limited to, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security.” Mr. Miller’s appointment does not require Senate confirmation, either. His role places him in the White House where he is expected to take on a leading role writing and implementing Trump's immigration agenda.