Kristi Noem steps down as Shield of the Americas envoy

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has ended her role as Special Envoy to the Shield of the Americas, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tommy Piggott confirmed Thursday.

Piggott shared the update during an interview with NewsNation, stating that Noem’s time as special envoy has ended. He did not provide a specific reason for the change in her duties. While leaving the envoy post, Noem will stay on as a senior adviser in the State Department. Piggott told the network that she will continue working on issues tied to the Shield of the Americas in that capacity.

“There are always these types of changes that happen,” Piggott said. “This is part of what’s happening with these positions. But, certainly, we remain dedicated to implementing the president’s agenda across the board.”

President Donald Trump appointed Noem to the special envoy position after removing her from her post leading the Department of Homeland Security in March. Around that time, Noem appeared before the House Judiciary Committee to testify during congressional hearings focused on immigration enforcement and operational disruptions within the agency.

The Shield of the Americas is a U.S.-led coalition established by President Trump in March. It coordinates efforts across the Western Hemisphere on regional border security, intelligence sharing, counternarcotics operations against drug cartels, and supply partnerships for critical minerals.