Kristi Noem's Opening Statement on Homeland Security Accomplishments

Secure Border and Counter-Cartel Efforts

• 🛡️ Kristi Noem asserts that the Department of Homeland Security has achieved the most secure border in American history under President Trump.
• 📉 Daily border encounters are reported to be down over 93%, with March seeing the lowest numbers in recorded history.
• 🎯 This secure border has allowed border patrol to focus on cartels, with six designated as foreign terrorist organizations, leading to a 54% decrease in fentanyl trafficking in March.
• ⚖️ The administration is prioritizing the enforcement of immigration laws, focusing on individuals with prior criminal convictions and those affiliated with terrorist organizations.

Economic and Trade Policies

• 🇺🇸 Noem criticizes the Biden administration for shipping jobs overseas, contrasting it with President Trump's America First Trade agenda.
• 📈 Tariffs are highlighted as an effective tool for addressing trade imbalances, leading to companies reshoring jobs to America.

Emergency Response and Infrastructure Security

• 🏛️ The Department of Homeland Security is reforming its involvement in emergency response, with a new FEMA review council co-chaired by Noem.
• ✈️ Steps are being taken to defend transportation systems, including the enforcement of Real ID to enhance travel security and prevent future attacks like 9/11.
• 💻 Cybersecurity is emphasized as crucial, with efforts to refocus SISA on its mission to protect critical infrastructure from threats, particularly from countries like China.

Coast Guard Readiness and Secret Service Reform

• ⚓ The Coast Guard, facing its greatest readiness crisis since WWII, is being re-invigorated with new plans like Force Design 2028 to enhance its agility and responsiveness.
• 🚢 Cartel activities have shifted to maritime borders, and the Coast Guard has surpassed FY2024 drug interdiction numbers.
• 🔒 The Secret Service is being reformed, with a refocus on recruitment based on experience and training aligned with a zero-fail mission, moving away from DEI priorities.

Accountability and Future Outlook

• 💰 Noem stresses the importance of providing resources, training, and equipment to the Department of Homeland Security while remaining accountable to the American taxpayer.
• ✅ She concludes by expressing gratitude for the committee's support and the dedication of DHS employees, looking forward to making the department more efficient and effective.