Kristi Noem kept Vice President JD Vance waiting about 25 minutes to swear her in after she was confirmed for homeland security secretary on Saturday, so he left without doing the honor, Politico reported.
Vance could not stay any longer at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building without messing up his schedule, the political site wrote, citing people familiar with the matter. She reportedly arrived 15 minutes after Vance had departed. Jacob Reses, Vance’s chief of staff, let the former South Dakota governor know that duty called.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Politico that her tardiness was caused by the delayed arrival of her father’s Bible that she has traditionally used in such ceremonies.
The Associated Press noted the delay previously, reporting that she eventually took the oath from Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
“It was made even more meaningful by being sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at his home,” Noem wrote on X with a video of the moment. “Thank you, President Trump for putting your trust in me to help keep America safe.”
Noem’s confirmation will buttress Trump’s hard-line stance on immigration as the president carries out a first wave of deportations.
