Senate approves Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary
CBSN
The Senate confirmed Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary on Saturday by a 59-34 vote, putting the South Dakota governor in charge of a sprawling agency that is essential to national security and President Donald Trump's plans to clamp down on illegal immigration.
Republicans kept the Senate working Saturday to install the latest member of Trump's national security team. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was confirmed Friday night, joining Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The Senate will next vote Monday evening on Scott Bessent's confirmation as treasury secretary.
Noem, a Trump ally who is in her second term as governor, received some support from Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee when it voted 13-2 to advance her nomination earlier in the week. Republicans, who already hold the votes necessary to confirm her, expressed confidence in her determination to lead border security and immigration enforcement.
House Democratic leaders are asking the Justice Department for an explanation for the "firing and involuntary reassignment" of career Justice Department employees who worked for former special counsel Jack Smith.
Washington — Caroline Kennedy, the cousin of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., sent a blistering letter to senators on Tuesday — a day before his confirmation hearings — that described him as a "predator" whose actions "have cost lives."
Google Maps users in the United States can expect to see the body of water known for centuries as the Gulf of Mexico renamed the Gulf of America, aligning with the terms of President Trump's controversial executive order. Google also said Denali, a mountain in southern Alaska and North America's tallest peak, is going to be called Mount McKinley on its maps for those same users, reflecting the presidential mandate.
A California duck farm made headlines this week after the World Organization of Animal Health published a report by U.S. authorities that a strain of bird flu that scientists call H5N9 had been found among sick birds in the flock.
Republican attorneys general from 19 states want Costco Wholesale to ditch its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, making the call days after the retailer successfully defended its DEI policies as good for business to shareholders.
A decades-old probe into a murderous gang rampage that mystified Belgium could be opened again to chase an unexplored lead, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Washington — The Senate is expected to vote Tuesday on the confirmation of former Rep. Sean Duffy as transportation secretary, with wide bipartisan support expected, as some of President Trump's more controversial nominees face confirmation hearings this week.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating after a United Airlines flight experienced "sudden aircraft movement," leaving dozens of passengers and crew injured, including six people who were hospitalized.
A memo from the White House budget office is calling for a spending freeze on federal assistance by 5 p.m. Tuesday, which could affect everything from aid to nonprofits, universities, small business loans and state and local government grants.
The University of South Carolina athletic department announced Sunday that the women's basketball team's arena DJ has been suspended for one game for the choice of music played at the end of the Gamecocks' win over LSU on Friday.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's controversial pick to head the federal Department of Health and Human Services, will appear Wednesday before a Senate panel that is crucial to advance his nomination.
President Trump's executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the U.S. government is renewing debate over what DEI is and whether it has benefited workers and companies.
Workers at a Whole Foods Market in Pennsylvania voted to unionize on Monday, becoming the first group of employees to pull off a labor win at the Amazon-owned grocery store chain.
Trump signs executive orders for military, focusing on transgender service members, COVID, diversity
President Trump signed multiple executive orders Monday night that could reshape the management and composition of the military, with provisions addressing diversity measures, transgender service members, and troops who were discharged for refusing COVID vaccinations.
A California woman was sentenced to more than three years behind bars for her role in a "birth tourism" scheme in which women traveled to the U.S. to give birth, giving the child birthright citizenship, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Central District of California confirmed.
Starbucks customers will notice some changes brewing. Starting Monday, stores are bringing back the condiment bar and offering free refills of certain drinks for for dine-in customers.
A Nigerian man was extradited to the U.S. after he was indicted in connection with the sextortion of a South Carolina teen who died by suicide, the Justice Department said Monday.
The White House unveiled its official portrait of first lady Melania Trump on Monday.