Gov. Kristi Noem’s handling of several key issues in South Dakota offers a lens into how she may manage her sprawling responsibilities at the Department of Homeland Security.

"So I don't think at this point — honestly, to make any conclusions about whether or not any of these candidates have any issues or problems that could be consequential."

Trump has picked Noem as Homeland Security secretary, a job that includes overseeing FEMA. But some residents of her home state say she bungled the response to June floods.

The farm community faces uncertainty about tariffs and Cabinet picks but some opportunities to fight beef industry consolidation with the incoming presidential administration, according to the president of the National Farmers Union.

If confirmed by the Senate, Noem would oversee the DHS, a 245,000-employee federal department whose mission is protecting the people of the United States. For context, the largest city in South Dakota is Sioux Falls, with 213,000 residents. South Dakota has a population of more than 800,000 residents.

GOP state officials argued that the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rule created earlier this year would be a strong incentive for immigrants to remain in the U.S. illegally.

President-elect Donald Trump has filled the key posts for his second term in office, prioritizing loyalty to him after he felt bruised and hampered by internal squabbling during his first term.