Kristi Noem's recent activities have sparked significant controversy.
According to the Daily Mail, Kristi Noem's participation in operational activities and her subsequent social media portrayal have drawn public and internal criticism.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem seems to have incited displeasure amongst her Department of Homeland Security (DHS) colleagues stemming from numerous photo operations. Reports highlight a specific incident involving her during an ICE raid in New York City, where her social media activity allegedly became a disruption.
Kristi Noem, since her appointment, has engaged in various public engagements donning ICE gear during these operations. Her sharing of such moments on platforms like social media has raised questions about the impact on the operations she depicts.
After being sworn in, one of Secretary Noem’s first actions was to join an ICE raid. Although intended as an enforcement operation, it reportedly resulted in fewer arrests than expected due to premature social media exposure. According to The Wall Street Journal, such activities have been perceived poorly within DHS. Critics argue that Noem's actions prioritize media presence over the effectiveness and safety of the operations.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin has defended Noem, stating that the operation was nearly complete when Noem posted about it online. Regardless, the timing of her post and its potential implications remain a subject of contention.
The amount of travel in Noem's calendar further adds to the internal unease. Staff based in Washington D.C. rarely see her, and they have portrayed her as a spokesperson rather than a traditional agency leader. Her activities extend beyond New York; Noem also participated in a firefighter training drill in Kodiak, Alaska, projecting an image that some DHS staffers find incongruent with her administrative role.
Noem's practice of distributing photos portraying her in vigorous roles and settings within DHS premises has not gone unnoticed. Such displays have bolstered the view that her leadership style leans heavily towards public relations.
Media personalities such as Megyn Kelly and Meghan McCain have voiced their discomfort with Noem's conduct. Concerns expressed accentuate a perceived belittlement of professional operatives by her involvement.
Megyn Kelly criticized:
Just stop trying to glamorize the mission and put yourself in the middle of it as you cosplay ICE agent, which you're not. No one wants you there. First of all, nobody ever wants the extra lady who doesn't belong. They just don't.
Megyn Kelly’s stern view is echoed by Meghan McCain, who questioned the practicality of Noem's appearance during operational activities. McCain’s critique went as far as challenging Noem’s basic awareness of safety protocols during specific tasks like firearms handling.
In an attempt to connect with the public, Kristi Noem began her tenure with an initiative to engage through town hall meetings, starting with an event where country music underscored her introduction. Despite these efforts, the response from the public and her staff suggests a disconnect between her image-focused activities and the expectations of a Secretary of Homeland Security.
As criticisms mount from both within DHS and the broader public, Secretary Noem's approach continues to polarize opinions. Her blend of active field involvement and public relations has stirred a debate about the balance between leadership visibility and operational integrity in high-stakes environments.
