Press Releases

WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson released the following statements after President Trump tapped decorated Army veteran Pete Hegeseth as Secretary of Defense and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security.

On Pete Hegseth’s nomination:

“Pete Hegseth is a tireless advocate for America’s soldiers and veterans, and he brings a fresh perspective to a Pentagon that has lost sight of its mission under Joe Biden. Pete is dedicated to ensuring that our military is focused on lethality and readiness, not woke ideology. He served our country faithfully in Guantanamo, Afghanistan, and Iraq and is a believer in peace through strength and the America First agenda. I’m confident he will execute his duties as Secretary well.”

On Governor Kristi Noem’s nomination:

“Of all the federal agencies left in disarray by the Biden-Harris Administration, the Department of Homeland Security was the worst victim. Secretary Mayorkas routinely refused to follow federal law and turned America’s border into a welcome mat. Fortunately, President Trump has chosen Gov. Kristi Noem, a trusted leader and proven executive, to undertake the essential responsibility of restoring the Department’s core mission and securing the American homeland. House Republicans are eager to get to work alongside Governor Noem and we congratulate her on this appointment.”

###