Kristi Noem is facing renewed criticism as immigration enforcement operations intensify in several major sanctuary cities, and even her close alliance with Donald Trump hasn’t shielded her from public backlash.
On Presidents’ Day, Noem, 54, shared a photo on Instagram alongside President Trump, 79, expressing her support for his leadership. In the picture, Trump wore a dark blue suit with a white shirt and an American flag pin, opting out of a tie. Both he and Noem sported baseball caps — Trump’s in his familiar red style with a slogan referencing “Gulf of America” and “Make America Great Again,” along with the number 47, while Noem’s white-and-gold cap matched her outfit.
The headwear quickly drew attention online. Critics flooded the comments section, with some mocking the look and others condemning the administration more broadly.
Despite the pushback, Noem used the post to praise the president’s leadership. She wrote that Presidents’ Day is a time to honor leaders who built the nation and said the country is fortunate to have Trump working to strengthen border security and public safety. As Secretary of Homeland Security, Noem has been one of the most visible figures defending the administration’s immigration agenda.
Her role has come under intense scrutiny in recent months as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) expanded operations under White House directives. The Department of Homeland Security increased recruitment efforts, including offering substantial sign-on bonuses, and deployed agents to several major cities known for sanctuary policies.
In San Diego, the presence of federal agents sparked protests and heated public debate. Attention later shifted to Minneapolis, where tensions escalated further after ICE agents fatally shot two American citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. The incident led to widespread outrage and community demonstrations demanding accountability and transparency.
While reports circulated that Noem’s position might be at risk, Trump publicly dismissed the speculation. Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast earlier this month, he said he had no intention of removing her and praised her performance, claiming strong border security and historically low crime numbers.
Still, online reaction to Noem’s public appearances and policy stance remains sharply divided. Supporters applaud her hardline approach, while critics argue that recent events have intensified concerns about enforcement tactics and leadership decisions.
As immigration enforcement continues to dominate national headlines, Noem’s standing — both politically and publicly — appears to remain a flashpoint in an already polarized debate.
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