Kristi Noem on Friday sailed through a confirmation hearing to be the next secretary of Homeland Security, with responses on major issues related to illegal immigration, international terrorism and cybersecurity that were unlikely to erode what appears to be a solid backing from Republicans.

Republicans repeatedly misrepresented statistics about immigration and crime during the confirmation hearing for Donald Trump’s pick to run the Department of Homeland Security on Friday, giving a preview of the baseless fearmongering that is likely to be a hallmark of the incoming administration.

US Homeland Security secretary nominee Kristi Noem said Friday weaknesses at the southern border are the country's "number one threat" as she set out her vision for the department that