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DHS Secretary Kristi Noem didn't become a controversial political figure overnight. In fact, it seems she's been practicing for years. Prior to landing the coveted job in President Donald Trump's cabinet, Noem won a seat in the South Dakota House of Representatives in 2006, and by 2011, she represented her state in Congress. In 2018, Noem was elected Governor of South Dakota, and she held the position until Trump nominated her for DHS secretary in 2025. It should come as no surprise that some of the most controversial things Noem has ever done occurred during her tenure as governor, and it's rumored that her questionable reputation is the reason Trump didn't tap her for vice president.

Before she spent her time glammed up for TV

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