A Governor, a Justice, and a Family Bible: Landry Assists in Swearing-In Kristi Noem
The governor of Louisiana first became acquainted with Noem during their time in Congress. Years later, he took on an unexpected role when she became part of Trump’s Cabinet.
WASHINGTON—On the evening of January 25, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry found himself in a memorable situation: at the home of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, standing with Kristi Noem.
As Landry held a Bible that once belonged to Noem’s late father, Thomas administered the oath for her new federal position. Just hours after the Senate confirmed her nomination, Noem was officially appointed as President Donald Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary.
So, how did everything align?
The story starts with a New Year’s tragedy: Bourbon Street, the iconic party hub of America, was struck by a radical Islamic terrorist, U.S. Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar.
Fourteen men and women lost their lives, and numerous others were injured when Jabbar drove his pickup truck into a crowd in the early hours of January 1. He died in a subsequent shootout with police.
“The terrorist on Bourbon Street—he committed those acts while having an ISIS flag tied to the bumper of his truck,” Landry informed The Epoch Times.
Related Stories
Landry emphasized that Jabbar was a homegrown terrorist, born in the United States.
“This is something that should alarm Americans,” he remarked.
The attack occurred just weeks before the upcoming Super Bowl, scheduled for February 9 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Following the Bourbon Street incident, the city required assistance from the Department of Homeland Security.
“That’s why we immediately began advocating for the Senate to confirm Governor Noem,” Landry mentioned. He had formed a relationship with the future Cabinet member during their congressional service and supported her nomination.
Additionally, New Orleans isn’t the only area of concern for the governor. Many of President Trump’s significant pledges revolve around immigration and border security. Noem will be instrumental in reversing the previous administration’s policies and implementing Trump’s vision.
“That was another reason we aimed to secure Governor Noem’s appointment as swiftly as possible,” Landry added.
The governor noted that the ongoing needs of North Carolina, which is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, and Los Angeles, recently ravaged by wildfires, require proactive leadership from the Department of Homeland Security.
Damage from the Eaton Fire is seen from the streets of Altadena, Calif., on January 24, 2025. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times
In Noem’s Corner
On January 26, Landry was in Washington, D.C., at the House Committee on Infrastructure and Transportation, providing him an opportunity to advocate for Noem as she navigated through the confirmation process. Remarkably—much quicker than Landry anticipated—she was confirmed in a 59–34 vote, with seven senators not participating. Noem was poised to be sworn in on the same day.
The governor mentioned that Noem called him, inquiring if he and his wife, Sharon, wished to witness the ceremony.
Initially, Vice President JD Vance was scheduled to conduct the swearing-in. However, scheduling conflicts prevented that from happening.
“She asked, hey, who can swear me in?” Landry recounted.
What an honor to be sworn in as Secretary of @DHSgov by Justice Clarence Thomas! I will faithfully execute the duties of this office. I will always preserve the Constitution and the security of our nation. pic.twitter.com/xt5gMm5DJU
“I thought, wow, that’s a very nostalgic moment,” Landry shared.
Prior to the ceremony, Noem asked the supportive fellow governor to hold her late father’s Bible.
“I’m thrilled she’s in place now,” Landry stated.
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, testifies before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on Capitol Hill in Washington on January 17, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times
In a statement to The Epoch Times, Noem expressed her commitment to “fully equip our intelligence and law enforcement to detect and prevent terror threats of all kinds.”
“We will provide swift relief to Americans facing natural disasters, empower our brave law enforcement personnel to perform their duties, and remove criminal aliens and illegal gangs from our nation,” she asserted.
With the secretary now in her role, aided by Landry’s efforts, he confidently believes that the Super Bowl celebrations in his state will convey a strong message.
“We’re going to hold it in New Orleans to honor those victims, demonstrating that we will not yield to terrorism, and that we are committed to ensuring safety,” he said.
In New Orleans, where the blues originated, hope is starting to rise.
