Kristi Noem, who previously served as Homeland Security Secretary, has stepped down from her role as Special Envoy to the Shield of Americas coalition.
While the exact reasons for her departure are a bit unclear, it’s confirmed that she will no longer carry the Special Envoy title. Nevertheless, she will continue with regional diplomatic efforts, as reported by CBS.
According to a State Department official, “Kristi Noem’s envoy status expired last month and she is no longer in the role. She is now a senior advisor to Deputy Secretary [of State Christopher] Landau and continues to work on the Shield of the Americas portfolio.”
Noem’s appointment as envoy ended just before the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month; she still attended diplomatic meetings during that time. (Related: Kristi Noem Announces Travel Ban On More Than 30 Countries)
The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to the State Department for comments but hasn’t received a response.
Noem took on the Special Envoy position in March, following her term as Homeland Security Secretary, which had been marked by criticism and allegations of mismanagement. Her transition to this role included a visit to five countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, which aligned with her previous responsibilities, according to CBS.
During her time at the department, Noem faced bipartisan criticism for spending over $220 million on advertisements. Additionally, her advisor, Corey Lewandowski, was reportedly involved in attempts to secure foreign government contracts while he was with DHS, which raised eyebrows—especially given the rumors about their personal relationship.
The Shield of the Americas, established by the Trump administration on March 7, comprises Caribbean and Latin American nations aimed at cooperating on matters concerning economic stability, anti-cartel initiatives, and security.
PRESIDENT TRUMP on SHIELD OF THE AMERICAS: This is the largest and most powerful alliance for economic and national security ever to convene in the Western Hemisphere. https://t.co/am69TMy9vm
— Department of State (@StateDept) September 22, 2026
In her role, Noem had little public visibility, primarily meeting with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on two occasions and engaging with diplomats from Ecuador and Colombia in Washington, along with interactions at the U.N. General Assembly.
This change came just days after Kimberly Guillifoyle resigned as Special Envoy to Greece amid pressure from the White House.
During a meeting with Noboa in September, President Donald Trump expressed his appreciation, saying, “I want to thank Kristi Noem for doing a really terrific job.”
Even though she is no longer officially an envoy, Noem will still be involved in diplomatic activities concerning the Western Hemisphere, according to CBS.
