Noem's Homeland Security Confirmation Hearing Delayed

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem's Senate confirmation hearing for the Department of Homeland Security has been postponed from Wednesday to Friday due to delays in her FBI background check paperwork. A committee aide confirmed that Noem has completed all her paperwork, but they are awaiting the FBI's completion. This delay follows similar postponements for other Trump nominees, including North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, whose hearing has also been rescheduled due to paperwork issues with the Office of Government Ethics. If confirmed, Noem would oversee critical agency functions including border security and disaster response. Her nomination comes as she emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced border security in light of what she describes as a crisis. Despite the delays, officials remain optimistic about a swift confirmation process ahead of the Trump administration's inauguration.