The Buzz in Kristi Noem's Home State

"Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has faced intense scrutiny from Republicans and calls for her firing from Democrats since the January 24 shooting of Alex Pretti by Customs and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis. Now Noem's tenuous standing with the Trump White House is creating concern in her home state of South Dakota that she might leave the Cabinet to challenge Senator Mike Rounds in the state's June Republican primary."

"Political allies of Rounds have begun preparing for this scenario, even though they remain skeptical that Noem will actually make the move, three people familiar with the discussions told me. To get into the race, Noem would have to register for the primary and collect the 2,171 supportive signatures statewide by the end of next month. A Noem adviser told me today that she has no plans to leave."

""It's something people are talking about across the state," one Republican involved in South Dakota's politics told me; this person, like others I spoke with, requested anonymity to discuss the rumors. "And based on everything I've been hearing, Mike Rounds would handily win that race." In recent weeks, Noem has ceded some of her public-leadership role overseeing immigration-enforcement operations, and President Trump has relied more on the White House "border czar" Tom Homan to lead those efforts."

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has faced intense scrutiny and calls for her firing since the January 24 Border Patrol shooting in Minneapolis. Concerns about her tenuous standing with the Trump White House have fueled speculation she might leave the Cabinet to challenge Senator Mike Rounds in the June Republican primary. Rounds allies have begun preparing for that possibility, though many remain skeptical she will run. To qualify, Noem would need 2,171 statewide signatures by next month. A Senate seat would provide staff and fundraising to defend against potential congressional investigations if Democrats regain the House. Recent shifts show Noem ceding public leadership on immigration enforcement while White House officials express frustration with her performance.

Read at The Atlantic