Controversial pick: Trump taps Noem for Homeland Security
United States President-elect Donald Trump has chosen South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the Secretary of Homeland Security. Noem described in her book how she shot a young dog. American media are now warning dog owners.
Noem, who previously aspired to be vice president, described in the book how she shot a 14-month-old female dog named Cricket for ruining a hunt. This event limited her chances of attaining a higher position in the Trump administration.
Vanity Fair and Daily Beast emphasise that Noem was involved in other controversies, but the dog story attracted the most attention. Newsweek reminds readers that Trump is not an animal lover, but Americans treat dogs like family members.
"Watch your dogs", "Secure your puppies" – American media write. They remind readers that Trump is the first president since Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) to move into the White House without a pet.
Another fragment of Noem's book also sparked controversy. She wrote that she met with Kim Jong Un, which raised scepticism in the media. Daily Beast notes the lack of evidence that such a meeting took place.
She shot a dog. She will lead a large institution
CNN points out that the Department of Homeland Security during Trump's previous term (from 2017 to 2021) went through numerous upheavals. The department had five consecutive heads, only two of whom were confirmed by the Senate.
The department, with a budget of approximately £48 billion, employs thousands of workers.
