Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
CHARLESTON — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem used a visit to Charleston to champion law enforcement while calling for character in leadership and accusing some Americans of being “addicted to being offended.” In a 33-minute speech Nov. 6 at The Citadel Republican Society's annual Patriot Dinner, Noem asked the room of nearly 100 people to do one thing. “Go out and encourage a law enforcement officer every chance you get,” she said inside Bastin Hall, adding, “That would absolutely mean the world to them.” She later said “Being a Republican is being someone who sets an example.” It marked the latest visit by various Trump White House administration officials to the Palmetto State this year, following in the footsteps of others including Vice President JD Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Her visit also came days after Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly carried out a two-night operation in Charleston County at the start of the week, with eyewitness reports saying most of it unfolded in North Charleston. Noem made no mention of the local effort, and instead broadly praised the ongoing immigration roundup efforts that have been unfolding across the country. She called those being deported “terrorists and criminals,” despite the high-profile case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man whose mistaken deportation helped galvanize opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Noem insisted that when she made her case to President Donald Trump for the cabinet job that he needed to pick someone who will be “steadfast in making sure that we're enforcing our laws and that they apply equally to everyone.” The Patriot Dinner, hosted by The Citadel Republican Society, has long doubled as an attendance rite of passage for conservatives who may harbor larger national ambitions. The group describes itself online as the largest and most active cadet club at the military college of South Carolina. Noem praised The Citadel for producing leaders, and singled out one of its graduates directly: Steven Munoz, who now works as her deputy chief of staff. He gave a little wave after Noem repeatedly encouraged him to raise his hand and be recognized. Each year, the group's annual Patriot Dinner honors a national, state or local official who embodies the leadership of Nathan Hale, an American who was executed by the British at age 21 after being unmasked as a spy. Many of the dinner’s past honorees have sought the presidency, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and Vice President Mike Pence. The dinner’s 2015 honoree, President Donald Trump, was twice successful in his quest for the White House. Noem appeared to use the speech as an introduction. She told the crowd about growing up as the daughter of a rancher followed by her political rise and the values she sees as paramount for America’s future, including humility in the face of criticism. “When you decide to be offended by something, you pick it up and you carry it around with you,” she said. “But you have the opportunity every single day to decide to walk right by that offense and leave it. When you pick it up and carry it around, then you're the one with the burden.” When she appeared onstage and received the Revolutionary War era musket that represents the Nathan Hale Patriot Award, it was Noem’s first visit to the Palmetto State since joining Trump’s Cabinet. In 2021, when she was governor of South Dakota, Noem headlined U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan's 10th annual Faith and Freedom BBQ fundraiser. Savannah Ikner, the first female president of The Citadel Republican Society, introduced Noem. Ikner said she first heard Noem speak at the Conservative Political Action Committee when she was in her sophomore year. “Hearing her reminded me that faith, family and freedom not partisan ideals. They’re American ideals,” Ikner said. “Secretary Noem showed me women can lead boldly, speak truthfully and never apologize for their values.” Noem also told the story of how she became Trump’s pick for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. After he won the 2024 presidential election, she said, he called her directly. “Kristi,” she remembered him saying. “I heard that you might be interested in being in my cabinet and helping me when I get to the White House. What position would you be interested in?” Maybe Agriculture Secretary? Or Secretary of Interior? he asked. When she said she was interested in being his Homeland Security Secretary, he replied: “Why would you want that job?” “Sir, I want to do that job, because it is your number one priority,” she said. On Nov. 7, Noem will extend her South Carolina visit, holding a “fireside chat” with Citadel Cadets to showcase potential careers in the Department of Homeland Security.
