Noem Appointed as Special Envoy for Shield of the Americas After DHS Ouster

Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem thanks Trump for new role after being removed from agency

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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During the Shield of the Americas summit in Florida, outgoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem thanked President Donald Trump for appointing her to a newly created role of special envoy for the Shield of the Americas after she was ousted from overseeing the agency. Noem, who previously served in Congress and as South Dakota governor before leading DHS, defended her record overseeing immigration enforcement during the past year, arguing the department had secured the border and eliminated public safety threats.

Why it matters

Noem's appointment as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas comes after a turbulent stretch at DHS marked by internal clashes and contentious congressional hearings. The new role is seen as an effort to expand border security cooperation beyond the United States.

The details

Trump announced this week that Noem would shift into the new role of special envoy for the Shield of the Americas after being removed as the nation's immigration chief. Noem framed the Shield of the Americas initiative as an effort to expand border security cooperation with neighboring countries, arguing that stronger border enforcement has allowed the administration to pivot toward economic and diplomatic engagement with the region.

  • On Saturday, Noem spoke at the Shield of the Americas summit in Florida.
  • Noem was removed as DHS Secretary effective March 31.

The players

Kristi Noem

The outgoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary who is moving to the newly created position of special envoy for the Shield of the Americas.

Donald Trump

The former President who appointed Noem to the new special envoy role after removing her as DHS Secretary.

Markwayne Mullin

The Republican Senator from Oklahoma who will replace Noem as DHS Secretary effective March 31.

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What they’re saying

“I do want to thank the president for creating this and for giving me the honor and the opportunity to serve as a special envoy to this region, to the Western Hemisphere. This Shield of the Americas will be a powerful example to the rest of the world about what's possible.”

— Kristi Noem, Outgoing DHS Secretary (1010wcsi.com)

“Secure borders has changed everything for our country. Now that America is secure and our borders are secure, we want to focus on our neighbors and to help our neighbors with their borders and challenges that they have so that they may have the security that we enjoy.”

— Kristi Noem, Outgoing DHS Secretary (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

Noem will officially transition to her new role as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas on March 31, when Senator Markwayne Mullin takes over as the new DHS Secretary.

The takeaway

Noem's shift from DHS Secretary to special envoy for the Shield of the Americas reflects the administration's focus on expanding border security cooperation with neighboring countries in the Western Hemisphere, building on the administration's claims of securing the U.S. border during Noem's tenure.