Donald Trump loyalist and immigration hardliner Kristi Noem has been confirmed by the Senate to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

The South Dakota governor, who has pledged to secure the US border and support deportation efforts, sailed through her Senate confirmation with a vote of 59-34.

In her new role, Ms Noem, 53, will control the US agency overseeing border enforcement and migrant deportations, but which also leads federal efforts on cybersecurity, terrorism and emergency management.

Writing on X following the vote, Ms Noem thanked Mr Trump “for the confidence in me to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security.”

She added: “I will work to make America SAFE again!”