Kristi Noem: podcast appearances and interviews

Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem, born on November 30, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota, is an American politician currently serving as the United States special envoy for the Shield of the Americas since 2026. She previously served as the eighth United States secretary of homeland security from 2025 to 2026. A member of the Republican Party, Noem was the 33rd governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025 and represented South Dakota's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. Her political career also includes service in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011. During her tenure at the Department of Homeland Security, her immigration policies attracted controversy, particularly in relation to the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Noem gained national prominence through her stance during the COVID-19 pandemic, opposing statewide mask mandates in favor of voluntary measures. She is known for her conservative positions on domestic issues such as gun rights, abortion, and immigration. In 2026, her tenure as DHS secretary was marked by significant controversy, including her defense of the killings by ICE agents before investigations, and allegations regarding her personal relationships and misuse of government resources. Her testimony before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary intensified congressional criticism, leading to her replacement at DHS. Subsequently, she was appointed as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a US-led regional security organization.