Kristi Noem Removed from ‘Shield of the Americas’ Role Following DHS Ouster
Kristi Noem has been removed as special envoy to the Shield of the Americas group, marking another shift following her March firing as DHS Secretary.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — Kristi Noem has been removed from her position as special envoy to the Shield of the Americas coalition, a spokesperson confirmed. This development follows a tumultuous year for the former official, who was dismissed from her role as Secretary of Homeland Security in March.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the secretary’s tenure as envoy has concluded. Despite this change, Pigott noted that Noem remains at the State Department in the capacity of a senior adviser, though the specific responsibilities of that ongoing role were not clarified.
Noem’s initial appointment to the Shield of the Americas group—an international coalition focused on intelligence sharing, drug trafficking, and organized crime—occurred after her departure from President Donald Trump’s Cabinet. Pigott characterized the move as a standard administrative adjustment, emphasizing that the administration remains committed to its broader agenda.
Her exit from the Department of Homeland Security in March ended a 13-month tenure marked by significant controversy. Her leadership faced intense scrutiny following the deaths of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by immigration officers in Minnesota during an aggressive deportation campaign.
Although Noem initially labeled the Minnesota incidents as domestic terrorism, video evidence contradicted her account, sparking public outrage over her attempts to justify the killings. Her department also drew heavy criticism for widespread raids on workplaces and homes.
Additionally, Noem faced backlash during Congressional hearings regarding a $220 million taxpayer-funded advertising campaign that featured her on horseback. While Noem claimed the president had authorized the spending, Trump denied approving the ads and subsequently fired her. Markwayne Mullin has since taken over as the head of the Department of Homeland Security.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
