Megyn Kelly has made bold claims against Kristi Noem, accusing her of being an “embarrassment” and urging the Secretary of Homeland Security to stop her “ridiculous photo ops.”
Noem’s Criticized Photo Ops with ICE Agents
The former governor of South Dakota has been at the center of attention since she began accompanying ICE agents during Donald Trump’s second term to address the ongoing crisis at the U.S. southern border. Kristi Noem, who has gained attention for her appearances in the field with border enforcement, was quickly nicknamed “ICE Barbie” by both supporters and critics.
While Megyn Kelly acknowledges Noem’s good performance in her official role, she voiced her disapproval of Noem’s staged photo opportunities.
During a recent episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, Kelly remarked, “She’s doing a great job, but I can’t stand these photo ops.”
Kelly went on to say that Noem needs to stop “glamorizing the mission” and “cosplaying” as an ICE agent, something she isn’t, as Noem is an administrative figure, not a law enforcement officer.
elly added that Noem’s photo ops, such as one where someone attempted to kick her, often feel staged and out of place.
Criticism of Noem’s Gun Handling During Public Appearance
The controversy didn’t stop at Noem’s photo ops. Kelly also took aim at a recent video where Noem was seen wielding a rifle during an operation to round up illegal immigrants in Arizona.
Critics quickly pointed out the improper handling of the weapon, noting that Noem’s gun safety practices were questionable, including pointing the rifle towards another person’s head and not keeping her trigger finger safely off the trigger.
Kelly commented on the situation, questioning why someone wasn’t stepping in to “save her from herself” when it came to her poor firearm handling.
While Noem has claimed to have experience with firearms, including an incident described in her memoir where she shot and killed a family dog, many online users felt her actions at the Arizona operation showcased a lack of proper gun safety training.
Noem’s Work on Immigration Victims and Reestablishing VOICE
Despite the photo op and gun criticism, Kristi Noem is still focused on the work she does as DHS Secretary, particularly with immigration-related victims.
She recently announced the re-establishment of the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office, an initiative that was originally launched during Trump’s administration. The office aims to provide support to families affected by crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
Speaking at the ICE headquarters, Noem emphasized her commitment to supporting families and shared that the DHS and ICE are now working to ensure that families impacted by immigration crimes get the help they need.
This initiative, however, had been dismantled by President Joe Biden in 2021, replaced with a broader, more inclusive victim support system that also investigates alleged abuses in migrant centers.
While Kelly may disagree with some of Noem’s tactics, particularly her public image, it’s clear that the DHS Secretary remains focused on addressing serious issues at the border and providing support for those affected by immigration-related crimes.