Noem was rushed to the hospital in a scary scene on Tuesday. Now we’ve finally received an update.
Because Kristi Noem’s team issued a critical update from the hospital.
Homeland Security Secretary Hospitalized for Allergic Reaction
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was hospitalized on June 17, 2025, following an allergic reaction, according to department spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
“She is alert and recovering,” McLaughlin stated, noting the hospital visit was precautionary. Noem, 53, oversees a department of approximately 260,000 employees responsible for immigration enforcement, airport security, disaster response, and other critical functions.
The incident occurred amid Noem’s high-profile tenure, during which she has frequently traveled and maintained an active social media presence.
Reuters reported on June 18 that Noem was discharged later that day and resumed her duties, with no further details provided on the cause of the reaction.
Role in Immigration Policy and Recent Controversy
As a key figure in President Trump’s Cabinet, Noem has been a prominent advocate for his mass deportation initiative.
She regularly accompanies immigration enforcement operations and has appeared in public service announcements urging undocumented immigrants to depart voluntarily. Last week, a press conference in California sparked controversy when U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) was forcibly removed by Noem’s Secret Service detail while attempting to address her about immigration raids.
Video footage, aired by CNN on June 12, shows a Secret Service agent grabbing Padilla’s jacket, shoving him out of the room, and subsequently handcuffing him in a hallway.
The Secret Service described Padilla as a potential “attacker,” while Homeland Security labeled his actions “disrespectful political theater.”
Noem, speaking to Fox LA on June 11, called the incident unfortunate but said she had a “great” follow-up conversation with Padilla. Padilla, in a June 17 Senate floor speech, recounted the event emotionally, criticizing the administration’s immigration approach.
Background and Prior Incidents
Before her appointment as Homeland Security Secretary, Noem served two terms as South Dakota’s governor and was a U.S. Representative, consistently aligning with Trump’s agenda.
She requested the Homeland Security role to focus on Trump’s priority of border security, per a January 2025 Politico profile.
Earlier this year, on Easter Sunday, Noem’s purse—containing $3,000 in cash, her driver’s license, passport, keys, and Homeland Security badge—was stolen during a family dinner.
The Washington Post reported on April 3, 2025, that a suspect was arrested and charged with aggravated identity theft, robbery, and fraud in federal court. The department clarified the cash was intended for family gifts and Easter activities.
