Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Criticized For Appearing To Point A Gun At An ICE Agent’s Head During Photo Op

Careful where you point that thing…

Since President Donald Trump was inaugurated back in January, his administration has been hard at work cracking down on illegal immigration, securing our border, and rounding up illegal immigrants and getting them out of the country.

Tackling the illegal immigration crisis has been a top priority of the Trump administration, and they’ve been quick to highlight their efforts and put offenders on notice that they’re not welcome here any longer. And as part of those efforts, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been front and center, accompanying ICE agents on their raids and often releasing videos and photos of arrests and deportations.

Of course this has resulted in a lot of criticism from people who accuse Noem of basically cosplaying as an ICE agent and posing for photo ops instead actually getting anything done.

But the criticism is especially loud after her latest video, which has many people criticizing her handling of firearms and accusing her of cosplaying for clout.

The video shows Noem, who was confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security after previously serving in the House of Representatives and as governor of South Dakota, holding a rifle and wearing a tactical vest while standing between two law enforcement officers:

“Human traffickers. Drug Smugglers. 18th Street Gang members. Spent the morning in Phoenix with our brave ICE and Arizona law enforcement arresting these dirtbags and getting them off of our streets.”

Human traffickers. Drug Smugglers. 18th Street Gang members. Spent the morning in Phoenix with our brave @ICEgov and Arizona law enforcement arresting these dirtbags and getting them off of our streets. pic.twitter.com/yH13jWwF1S

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) April 8, 2025

But many in the comments, including many conservatives, pointed out that it appeared Noem was pointing the rifle in the direction of the agent’s head standing directly beside her, which obviously violates the most basic rule of gun safety which is to treat every weapon as if it were loaded and not point the gun at anything (or anybody) you don’t want to shoot.

Noem is pointing the M4 muzzle at an agent with an open dust cover, indicating a chambered round. It's the worst possible place to point it. No one stopped her, including the agent to her left, who should know better but also has bad muzzle discipline. https://t.co/lwM08K4m3C

— Alex Horton (@AlexHortonTX) April 8, 2025

She was hired in an actress role capacity to cheerlead for Trump.

We’re sick of it.

We want the 10-15 million deportation we voted for.

The numbers don’t lie, they are not getting it done.

Weak. Do better, cut off the camera’s. https://t.co/H7Gpxl2KIC

— DC (@CombatEngDC) April 8, 2025

She is breaking rule number 1 & 2

1. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
Always assume a gun is loaded, even if you believe it’s not.

2. Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy. The muzzle should always be pointed in a safe direction.

3. Keep your… https://t.co/mfwx9sVg22

— UR a Smart Ass, Carl (@Ur_a_Smartass_C) April 8, 2025

Ok but what did the ICE agent do cuz you’re about to blow his head off https://t.co/epjUJQovhA

— BLAIRE WHITE (@MsBlaireWhite) April 8, 2025

Kristi babe please stop the tactical bimbo cosplay, nobody wants this. It’s not about you. Just do your job and send them all back. Please.

— Cig Blaster (@CigBlastoiseGBE) April 8, 2025

We appreciate the work. Please refrain from cringe videos like this. The outcome is more important than the optics.

— Crazy Freakin Planet (@FreakinPlanet) April 8, 2025

Is that safety on and why do you have the barrel of your rifle pointed at the gentleman standing next to you head? You have a sling on that weapon, why not use it? Assuming you are in full gear because you plan on actually assisting in the arrest, do you think manicured nails and… pic.twitter.com/ETz5fPwajb

— Lee Wasserman (@TheWasserman) April 8, 2025

Democrat senator Ruben Gallego, who served in the Marines and was deployed to Iraq, also criticized Noem’s handling of the firearm:

“1. Close your ejection port.
2. If you have no rounds in the chamber why do you have a magazine inserted?
3. If you have rounds in the chamber or in the magazine why are you flagging the guy next to you?”

1. Close your ejection port.
2. If you have no rounds in the chamber why do you have a magazine inserted?
3. If you have rounds in the chamber or in the magazine why are you flagging the guy next to you?
4. Stop deporting people without due process. https://t.co/LMJUqYA9eb

— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) April 8, 2025

Wherever you stand on the issue of illegal immigration and the Trump administration’s deportations, you’ve gotta admit that videos like these are kinda cringe and don’t exactly do anything to help your cause…especially when you’re pointing a gun at an ICE agent’s head.