The NPR Politics Podcast: Roundup – Noem Confirmation Hearing; Laken Riley Act Release Date: January 17, 2025
Hosts: Tamara Keith, Ximena Bustillo, Deirdre Walsh, and Domenico Montanaro

1. Kristi Noem’s Confirmation Hearing for Department of Homeland Security

Overview: The episode delves into the confirmation hearing of Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota and President Elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS). The discussion highlights Noem’s qualifications, the hearing’s dynamics, and the implications for Trump’s administration, particularly regarding immigration and border security.

Noem’s Background and Trump's Choice: Ximena Bustillo provides an overview of Noem’s credentials, emphasizing her experience as South Dakota’s governor and former at-large congressional representative. She notes that Trump selected Noem due to her longstanding alliance with him and her support for his immigration policies.

[01:13] Ximena Bustillo: "Noem is the current governor of South Dakota... she has been a longtime ally of his... her role would particularly oversee immigration law enforcement agencies."

Noem’s Pitch During the Hearing: Noem positioned herself as the ideal candidate to execute Trump’s border security agenda, emphasizing strength and dedication to the president’s priorities.

[02:25] Noem: "We will undertake a large job... securing our border... removing criminal actors... ensuring consequences for breaking the law."

Hearing Dynamics and Senate Reactions: Deirdre Walsh observes that the hearing was notably brief, suggesting broad Republican support and minimal controversy around Noem’s nomination. The senators aimed to obtain Noem’s positions on specific issues without prolonged debate.

[03:16] Deirdre Walsh: "This has not been a controversial pick... it is clear that Noem has the votes."

Key Issues Addressed:

• Border Security: Both southern and northern borders were discussed, with senators seeking clarity on Noem’s strategies.
• Collaboration with Trump’s Team: Questions were raised about her working relationship with Trump’s appointed border czar, Tom Homan, and whether she would prioritize legal adherence over presidential directives.

[05:00] Ximena Bustillo: "Senator Andy Kim from New Jersey... asked pointed questions about her relationship with Tom Homan and her commitment to abiding by the law."

Implications of Tom Homan’s Role: The introduction of Tom Homan, who operates directly within the White House and has publicly advocated for mass deportations, raised concerns about the chain of command and decision-making processes within DHS.

[07:40] Ximena Bustillo: "Homan's role has confused a lot of people... he's out there on national television saying that he's the one making decisions on border security."

Conclusion on Nomination: Despite these concerns, Noem’s confirmation appears likely due to unified Republican support and her alignment with Trump’s enforcement-focused immigration stance.

2. The Laken Riley Act: Legislation Focused on Immigration Enforcement

Background and Motivation: The podcast transitions to discussing the Laken Riley Act, named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student murdered by Jose Ibarra, an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant. The legislation aims to prevent similar tragedies by tightening immigration enforcement related to criminal activities.

[09:54] Jim Montanaro: "Laken Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student... murdered by a 26-year-old Venezuelan man without legal status."

Legislative Details: Deirdre Walsh explains that the act mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain individuals without legal status who are charged with theft or burglary, addressing gaps in the current immigration enforcement system.

[10:38] Deirdre Walsh: "The bill requires DHS to detain any person without legal status charged with theft or burglary."

Political Support and Opposition: While the act garnered significant Republican support and some Democratic backing in the House, it faced opposition in the Senate from Democrats concerned about due process and the delegation of federal authority to state attorneys general.

[12:22] Deirdre Walsh: "Democrats and some Libertarian groups have concerns about due process and the delegation of federal authority to states."

Shift in Democratic Stance: There is a notable shift among Democrats, especially those in swing states, recognizing the need to address border security to align with voter concerns. This bipartisan support is a departure from previous stances where Democrats opposed such targeted enforcement measures.

[13:12] Deirdre Walsh: "48 House Democrats voted for the Lake and Riley bill... Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer supports it, recognizing the need to address voter concerns about border security."

Public Opinion and Polling: Jim Montanaro discusses recent polls indicating a divided public opinion on mass deportations, with stark partisan differences. Approximately 74% of Democrats oppose the deportation of all undocumented individuals quickly, compared to 80% of Republicans who support it, with over half of Republicans strongly favoring mass deportations.

[15:28] Jim Montanaro: "49% support deporting all undocumented individuals quickly... 74% of Democrats oppose, while 80% of Republicans support it."

Legislative Status: Having passed the House and facing a more favorable Senate under Republican control, the Laken Riley Act is poised to return to the House for a final vote before being sent to President Trump for signing, marking it as a significant piece of immigration legislation.

[16:33] Deirdre Walsh: "The bill is expected to pass the Senate and return to the House, then to the president's desk for signing."

3. Can't Let It Go: Topics Unstoppable in the Week’s Discourse

A. AI and Love Story: Domenico Montanaro shares a compelling story about a woman who fell in love with an AI chatbot, raising ethical and emotional questions about human-AI relationships.

[17:28] Jim Montanaro: "She really started to fall in love with this guy who really listened... the kicker is that it was an AI bot."

B. Heartwarming Dog Rescue: Deirdre Walsh recounts an uplifting story of a man reuniting with his missing dog, Oreo, after wildfires threatened his home. The resilience and gratitude towards firefighters highlight the human spirit amidst disaster.

[19:14] Deirdre Walsh: "Five days later, Oreo was found and he was reunited with his dog. It made me cry. It was so heartwarming."

C. Inauguration Weather Concerns: Tamara Keith discusses the impending arctic blast expected to hit Washington D.C., leading to the indoor relocation of President Trump's inauguration ceremony. Historical comparisons highlight the severity of the weather forecast.

[21:35] Tamara Keith: "The worst inaugural weather in 40 years... wind chills expected to be 9 degrees."

4. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with acknowledgments to the production team and a reminder of upcoming segments, emphasizing the blend of serious political analysis with lighter, human-interest stories that characterize the NPR Politics Podcast.

Notable Quotes:

• Kristi Noem on DHS Role:

  [02:25] Noem: "We will undertake a large job... ensuring consequences for breaking the law."

• Concerns About Tom Homan’s Influence:

  [07:40] Ximena Bustillo: "If you have a direct line to the president... that's something he has said over and over again that does raise questions."

• Shift in Democratic Support:

  [13:12] Deirdre Walsh: "There has been a massive shift on Capitol Hill among congressional Democrats on the issue of immigration."

• Public Opinion on Deportations:

  [15:28] Jim Montanaro: "49% support deporting all undocumented individuals quickly... 80% of Republicans support it."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions from the episode, providing listeners with insights into the confirmation of Kristi Noem for DHS, the intricacies of the Laken Riley Act, and lighter topics that reflect the multifaceted nature of political discourse.