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.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Donald Trump's pick to lead the agency central to his vision of cracking down on illegal immigration, faced senators Friday at a confirmation hearing and promised to be a tough hand in carrying out the president's vision for the sprawling Department of Homeland Security.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s advancement to the cusp of confirmation as a Trump cabinet secretary probably surprised some people who thought her career ended nine months ago with a notoriously disastrous book release.