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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was rushed to a Washington, D.C. hospital by ambulance Tuesday after suffering an allergic reaction, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
“Secretary Noem had an allergic reaction today. She was transported to the hospital out of an abundance of caution. She is alert and recovering,” said DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin in a brief statement.
Several Secret Service agents were observed outside emergency room entrances at the facility, underscoring the seriousness of the incident, though officials emphasized her condition is stable.
A Key Figure in Trump’s Second-Term Cabinet
Noem, 53, a former South Dakota governor and congresswoman, was nominated by President Donald Trump shortly after he secured a second term in the 2024 election. She was confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security in January, quickly becoming one of the most visible and controversial members of Trump’s new cabinet.
Under Trump’s renewed focus on hardline immigration policies, Noem has played a leading role in executing sweeping enforcement directives — including the deployment of military forces to U.S. cities and border regions, and the use of wartime powers to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
A Controversial Role Over Disaster Response
Noem has also drawn fire for her unorthodox stance on federal disaster management, publicly stating that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should be dismantled. She’s criticized the agency as “bloated” and “ineffective,” even as hurricane season looms.
Last week, Trump echoed her sentiments, saying he plans to phase out FEMA after the 2025 hurricane season, signaling a major shift in federal disaster response policy.
Uncertainty Around Cause and Recovery
It remains unclear what triggered Noem’s allergic reaction, or whether it was food-, medication-, or environment-related. DHS officials have not released additional medical details, citing privacy concerns.
Noem’s office has not issued its own statement, but multiple sources said she is expected to be discharged within the next 24 hours, barring complications.
High-Profile Week for DHS and Noem
The incident comes amid heightened national attention on DHS and Noem personally, following her controversial press briefing last week in Los Angeles, where she defended Trump’s deployment of over 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to quell unrest related to immigration raids.
During that press event, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was forcibly removed and handcuffed after trying to question Noem — an encounter that ignited a political firestorm and dominated headlines for days.
Looking Ahead
With the 2025 hurricane season approaching and tensions continuing over immigration enforcement, Noem’s leadership at DHS remains both pivotal and polarizing. Her sudden hospitalization adds a layer of uncertainty to a department already at the center of the Trump administration’s most aggressive policy pushes.
Officials say she will resume her duties upon medical clearance. In the meantime, Deputy Secretary David Pekoske is expected to oversee day-to-day operations.
