US Senate votes to confirm appointment of Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary amid sweeping crackdown measures announced by Trump

The department assumes significance since it is likely to play a major role in Trump's promised immigration crackdown.

The vote was bipartisan, 59-34, and Noem was sworn in later Saturday, reported CNN.

In her tenure, Noem had previously served as the governor of South Dakota since 2019.

She is a four-term Congresswoman.

The Homeland Security oversees crucial US agencies that include US Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the US Secret Service.

Noem said she would work to make America 'safe' again.

"Thank you, Mr. President @realDonaldTrump, for the confidence in me to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security," Noem posted on X.

In another X post, she said: " I will faithfully execute the duties of this office. I will always preserve the Constitution and the security of our nation. "

After his inauguration on Monday, Trump announced a series of major  immigration executive actions that included declaring a national emergency at the US southern border.

He also initiated measures to end birthright citizenship.