The first speech by newly sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem got off to an unconventional start as she took the stage to the country music song “Hot Mama.”
Noem, who was sworn in over the weekend, gave her inaugural address to the Department of Homeland Security’s 260,000 employees at its headquarters in Washington on Tuesday afternoon.
But before the speech started, she walked the long aisle through the crowd to the tune of country music singer Trace Adkins’s 2007 hit. As the lyrics played, Noem approached audience members and shook hands on her way to the stage.
In her first official speech as DHS Secretary at the department's Washington headquarters, Kristi Noem takes the stage to Trace Adkins song "Hot Mama."
— Anna Giaritelli (@Anna_Giaritelli) January 28, 2025
Lyrics: “One hot mama You turn me on Let's turn it up And turn this room Into a sauna One hot mama Oh what you say babe?” pic.twitter.com/omlzkhtVTJ
Noem’s speech was eight minutes, during which she implored the department’s workers to be a “beacon” to the communities they served nationwide.
“I’m hoping all of us will be a beacon of freedom, of light, and of hope, that when people look at us, they don’t just see people who are there in a time of crisis or conflict, but we’re also people that bring a smile to people’s faces and remind them what America is about,” Noem said.
“You’re on the front lines many times, but you’re also sometimes the last ones in to help pick up the pieces, and you see people on their very worst days, but that is a presence that you can bring that will bring them comfort and stability in a time the world seems to be shaken,” Noem added.
Noem finished her remarks with time for questions from the audience, but no one raised a question, prompting the conclusion of the event.
Noem made border security a top talking point in her Senate confirmation hearing, and she was endorsed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), who is also from her home state of South Dakota.
Republicans were put in a difficult place when Noem did not work with them to get her confirmed quickly last weekend. Democrats attempted to delay her confirmation vote with procedural holdups. As a result, Noem did not receive unanimous Senate consent to fast-track her vote.
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Noem was confirmed 59-34 Saturday morning in a rare weekend vote.
Noem was 45 minutes late to her swearing-in Saturday evening. The ceremony was scheduled to take place with Vice President JD Vance, but Vance left because of Noem’s delay, which she said was due to not being able to find the family bible.
What an honor to be sworn in as Secretary of @DHSgov by Justice Clarence Thomas!
I will faithfully execute the duties of this office. I will always preserve the Constitution and the security of our nation. pic.twitter.com/xt5gMm5DJU