Kristi Noem is no longer President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Shield of the Americas coalition, ending the assignment she received after her removal as Homeland Security secretary earlier this year.
The State Department confirmed the change Thursday, while making clear that Noem remains in the administration.
“We’ve seen the secretary’s time as envoy expire,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told NewsNation’s Kellie Meyer, according to The Hill’s reporting. “She continues to be at the State Department as a senior adviser.”
Pigott did not explain why the designation ended or provide details about her continuing responsibilities.
CBS News, which broke the story, reported that her designation expired in September.
From Homeland Security To Regional Diplomacy
Trump announced Noem’s appointment to the newly created envoy position in March after removing her as Homeland Security secretary.
Her departure from DHS followed mounting scrutiny of the department’s immigration enforcement operations, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. Her leadership also drew questions about the influence of department adviser Corey Lewandowski, according to The Hill.
The envoy assignment shifted her focus toward cooperation with countries across Latin America and the Caribbean as the administration expanded its regional security agenda.
The Shield of the Americas initiative centers on combating transnational drug cartels, reducing illegal migration and countering foreign interference in the Western Hemisphere, according to the administration’s description of the coalition.
Coalition’s Work Continues
The initiative has continued developing since its launch. In a September joint statement, participating nations outlined coordinated sanctions and other measures against 24 criminal and terrorist groups, including MS-13, Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel.
Pigott said Noem would continue working on the Shield of the Americas initiative, although he declined to specify what that work would involve, The Hill reported.
“There’s always these types of changes that happen,” Pigott told NewsNation. “This is part of what’s happening with these positions. But, certainly, we remain dedicated to implementing the president’s agenda across the board.”
The announcement leaves Noem with a continuing advisory role, while the administration has offered little public explanation for the end of her envoy assignment.
