WASHINGTON, DC – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was transported to a Washington, D.C., hospital by ambulance on Tuesday following an allergic reaction, according to a spokeswoman.
Key Facts
- Incident – Secretary Noem was transported by ambulance to a Washington, D.C., hospital on Tuesday.
- Cause – The hospitalization was due to an allergic reaction.
- Condition – A spokeswoman for Secretary Noem stated she is alert and recovering and was taken to the hospital out of an abundance of caution.
The hospitalization of Secretary Noem, 53, comes during her tenure as a prominent figure in the current administration’s focus on immigration and border security.
Why Was Secretary Noem Hospitalized?
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that Secretary Noem experienced an allergic reaction. The decision to transport her to the hospital by ambulance was made “out of an abundance of caution.” Secret Service agents were observed at the entrances of the emergency room where the Secretary was admitted.
Who Is Kristi Noem and Her Role in DHS?
Kristi Noem, who previously served as the governor of South Dakota and represented the state in Congress, was appointed Homeland Security Secretary after President Donald Trump’s second election win. She was confirmed by the Senate in late January. As DHS Secretary, Noem oversees a wide range of responsibilities, including immigration enforcement and border security, which have been central to the current administration’s agenda. She also oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Noem has publicly criticized FEMA in the past, advocating for its dismantling, and the President recently indicated plans to phase out the agency after this year’s hurricane season.
