Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem transported to Washington DC-area hospital after allergic reaction

Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Secretary, was transported to a hospital in Washington, DC, by ambulance on Tuesday following an allergic reaction, the Department of Homeland Security said. Briefing on Noem's health and allergic reaction, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said that the secretary had an allergic reaction today and she was transported to the hospital out of an abundance of caution. “She is alert and recovering,” she added.

According to CNN, several Secret Service agents were posted at several entrances outside the emergency room at the hospital where Secretary Noem was admitted.

Noem, 53, has served as the governor of South Dakota and represented the state in Congress before being picked to serve as President Donald Trump’s Homeland Security secretary just days after he was elected for a second term. After Trump made immigration a major part of his campaign, Noem was positioned as a critical member of his cabinet. After being nominated by the US President in November 2024, she was confirmed for the role by the Senate in January 2025.


Since returning to office, US President Trump has pushed for an aggressive crackdown on immigration. As a part of his actions, he has been seen deploying troops to the border and even evoking wartime authority to deport undocumented migrants, and Noem has carried out the president’s agenda.

Noem, who also oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has called for the disaster relief agency to be dismantled. She repeatedly criticized it and called it ineffective and unnecessary. Last week, Trump said he plans to phase out FEMA after this year’s hurricane season.