Kristi Noem on Being Trump's Running Mate: 'Of Course, I Would Consider It' (August 17, 2023)

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem gave Sean Hannity a straight answer on the 2024 ticket. “This is a different question. And I will tell you that, of course, I would consider it,” Noem said when asked on Fox News on Aug. 17, 2023, whether she would serve as Donald Trump’s running mate, Fox News reported [1].

“Our country is breaking right in front of our very eyes today, and everybody should be a part of putting it back on its foundation. And if President Trump is going to be back in the White House, I’d do all I can to help him be successful,” she said [1].

The video above shows Noem’s interview in August 2023. Quotes are from Fox News and ABC News [1][2][3].

”A Life of Significance”

Hannity asked whether she would run for president herself. “I’m focused here, you know that, Sean,” she said of South Dakota. “But… the goal is to continue to live a life of significance.” [1]

“I think we all should get up every single day and do what we can to protect this greatest experiment in history. Our founders gave us an incredible gift. Let’s not drop the ball on our watch,” Noem said [1].

Fox News noted that “Hannity pressed Noem on the subject, noting she had in the past demurred on questions about potentially running for president given her popularity.” [1]

“Why Run if You Can’t Win?”

In a separate Fox News interview, Noem explained why she had not considered a presidential bid of her own. “The fact is, none of them can win as long as Trump’s in the race. And that’s just the facts. So why run if you can’t win?” she said on “Fox & Friends,” Fox News reported [1].

“When he was president, he let me do my job – and I appreciate that. Biden doesn’t do that,” Noem said [1].

She pitched her state, too. Fox News reported that Noem noted her state “has no income tax and has the lowest unemployment rate of any state, at 1.8%.” “We invite everybody to give us a call: Freedom works here,” she said [1].

”The Man in the Arena”

Three weeks later, Noem endorsed Trump in Rapid City. “It is my honor to present to you the man in the arena,” she said on Sept. 8, 2023, ABC News reported [2].

“He is a man of significance. He is the leader, the fighter, that our country needs. He has my full and complete endorsement for President of the United States of America. I will do everything in my power to help him win to save this great country,” Noem said [2].

ABC News reported that the rally was “taking place in Monument arena with thousands in attendance.” [2]

No Mask Mandates

ABC News noted why Republicans knew her name. Noem “entered the national spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic when she refused to enact statewide mask mandates or force businesses to close, leaving the power up to the counties and cities to enforce those restrictions,” it reported [2].

“Since then, she has launched a nationwide workforce recruitment campaign to fill thousands of jobs in the state, starring in ads where she portrayed occupations like a plumber, dentist and electrician,” ABC News reported. “Her office claims more than 6,000 people have applied to move to the state since she launched the initiative in June.” [2]

“An Incredibly Smart Decision”

“A source familiar with the matter called Noem’s endorsement ‘an incredibly smart decision,’ arguing that it would solidify her name on the shortlist of potential vice presidential candidates,” ABC News reported [2].

By the Numbers

2: terms as governor, per Fox News [1].
4: terms in the U.S. House, per Fox News [1].
6,000+: people her office said applied to move to South Dakota [2].
59-34: the Senate vote confirming her as homeland security secretary [3].
260,000+: DHS employees she would oversee, per ABC News [3].

What Happened Next

She joined Trump’s Cabinet. On Jan. 25, 2025, the Senate confirmed Noem, whom ABC News called “the firebrand who gained a national spotlight during the coronavirus pandemic,” as secretary of homeland security. “The vote was 59-34,” ABC News reported [3].

At her hearing, she promised to fix the border. “I was the first governor to send National Guard troops to our southern border when Texas asked for help and when they were being overwhelmed by an unprecedented border crisis,” Noem said [3].

“As secretary, I will oversee the Secret Service, an agency that is in serious need of reforms. We all saw the threats to President-elect Trump last year and the consequences of failure,” she said [3].

“If confirmed as secretary, I’ll ensure that our exceptional, extraordinary Border Patrol agents have all the tools and resources and support that they need to carry out their mission,” she said [3].

“The Department of Homeland Security already shut down the CBP One app, which allowed migrants to make appointments at the border to claim asylum — something Noem promised the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee she’d do,” ABC News reported. “Noem will oversee 22 agencies with more than 260,000 employees who work on issues ranging from the border to federal disaster management to the Secret Service.” [3]

For DHS under Noem firing FEMA staff over migrant hotel payments, see HYGO News’ page on Oct. 4, 2024. For Stefanik on the border crisis, see the page on Jan. 30, 2024.