Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was hospitalized “out of an abundance of caution” due to an allergic reaction Tuesday, a DHS spokesperson said.
Noem, 53, was brought to a hospital in Washington, DC, and is “alert and recovering,” the Department of Homeland Security official said.
Noem was tapped by President Trump to lead the DHS mere days after he clinched his second term victory in November and she was confirmed by the Senate in January.
As DHS chief, Noem has been at the forefront of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s unrelenting crackdown on illegal immigrants that sparked nationwide protests, including over a week of chaos in Los Angeles.
Noem has even joined federal agents on some raids across the US, including the first of the New Year in New York City just days after being confirmed as the Secretary of Homeland Security.
On Wednesday morning, Noem was expected to appear in New York City for a press conference about the implementation of REAL ID at airports nationwide alongside members of the Transportation Security Administration.
But in the wake of her hospitalization, the press conference was postponed.
