Former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has sparked interest with her social media activity and recent career developments. On Saturday, Noem shared a post on X featuring a photo of herself in hunting attire, holding a gun next to a dog. This was in celebration of the beginning of pheasant hunting season in South Dakota. The post led to a variety of concerned comments online.
The post came shortly after the announcement that Noem was no longer serving as special envoy to the Shield of the Americas coalition, a position she transitioned to after being dismissed from her role as DHS Secretary in March. As clarified in a document she shared on X, the envoy role was intended to be a six-month appointment. Noem now serves as a senior adviser within the State Department.
Newsweek attempted to contact Noem’s representatives and the U.S. Department of State for comments on Saturday afternoon.
Who Is Kristi Noem?
Noem was South Dakota’s governor from 2019 to 2025 before moving into the DHS Secretary role under President Donald Trump. Known for her close alliance with Trump and enthusiasm for hunting, she was once a potential candidate for Trump’s running mate in 2024. But this speculation diminished following the publication of details from her memoir, No Going Back, where she recounted shooting her 14-month-old dog, Cricket. The deed was justified by Noem who described the dog as “untrainable”, igniting significant public backlash.
Noem returned to public discussion earlier this year due to reports in The Daily Mail about her husband’s alleged dual life involving online interactions with fetish models and wearing fake breasts. Subsequently, Noem filed for divorce in September.
Kristi Noem’s Special Envoy Role Ends
Noem’s role as special envoy to the Shield of the Americas concluded on Friday, marking an end to her involvement in a Trump administration initiative focused on security in the Western Hemisphere. The initiative aimed to combat drug trafficking, transnational criminal networks, and illegal migration.
As special envoy, Noem worked with regional leaders on security and enforcement strategies, reporting to Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. Now as a senior adviser, she continues working under Landau on the Shield of the Americas initiative.
Noem shared a screenshot citing the State Department’s comment on her position shift, noting her advisor status remains intact.
Social Media Reaction to Noem’s Post
On Saturday, Noem’s post about pheasant hunting drew commentary due to the image of her with the dog. “Happy Opener, South Dakota! Foster and I wish you good luck in the field! Pheasant hunting is part of who we are, and it’s a tradition worth passing on to our kids and grandkids,” she wrote.
Noem highlighted her efforts as governor in the Second Century Initiative, partnering with landowners to convert unused land into wildlife habitats for future hunting generations.
The included photo shows Noem in hunting gear holding a rifle beside a dog, presumably a Vizsla. With 2.2 million views by Saturday, the post spurred thousands of comments, expressing concern about the dog’s welfare.
- “Save the dog,” commented one user.
- “Please don’t kill him,” another remarked.
- “The worst possible thing you could post would be a dog and a gun, lady. Come on,” posted a third person.
Similar sentiments appeared under her post on Facebook.
Pheasant hunting season in South Dakota spans from October 17 to January 31. Dogs assist hunters by locating and flushing birds into the air, creating shooting opportunities.
Kristi Noem Dog Controversy Explained
Excerpts from Noem’s biography No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward sparked discussion earlier this year. Published by The Guardian in April 2024, it detailed Noem’s actions of shooting Cricket after aggressive incidents, deeming the dog “untrainable” and expressing dislike.
Noem defended her choice on Fox News, stating concern for her children’s safety drove her decision to euthanize Cricket as the dog posed threats to livestock and people.
Noem’s choices as reflected in her biography and social media posts continue eliciting public reactions.