South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) moved a step closer to leading the Department of Homeland Security as the Senate voted on Friday to advance her to a final confirmation vote.

Senators voted 61-39 to break a filibuster on Noem’s nomination on Friday evening.

Noem's confirmation would put the final piece of President Trump's core national security team in place.

The chamber quickly approved Marco Rubio to lead the State Department after Trump’s inauguration on Monday, and eventually confirmed CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to their positions on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Republicans view Noem as integral to carrying out Trump’s immigration plans, which include the deportation of large swaths of immigrants who entered the country illegally and ending numerous legal pathways for entering the country.

“She will secure the........

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