The Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary on Saturday by a 59-34 vote, putting the former South Dakota governor in charge of a sprawling agency that is essential to national security and President Donald Trump's plans to clamp down on illegal immigration.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) will cap off a packed week of confirmation hearings for President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees when she appears Friday on Capitol Hill, just days before the

If confirmed, Noem would lead the department poised to be at the center of Trump’s immigration policy priorities, including any deportation efforts, visa changes and border security.