Kristi Noem, recently appointed Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, has drawn criticism for misidentifying countries during an interview concerning her new position. While discussing potential U.S. allies in South America, Noem named El Salvador and Costa Rica, nations located in Central America.
New Role and Geographic Oversight
The interview, conducted on Newsmax, saw anchor Greta Van Susteran inquire about the United States’ closest partners on the South American continent. Noem responded by highlighting collaborative efforts with El Salvador on migration issues and third-country agreements, praising Ecuador as “fantastic,” and noting strong working relationships with Argentina and Costa Rica.
However, El Salvador and Costa Rica are geographically situated in Central America, not South America. This oversight has led to questions about Noem’s readiness for her new diplomatic role.
Explaining the ‘Shield of the Americas’
During the same interview, Noem was asked to elaborate on her new responsibilities and the concept behind the ‘Shield of the Americas.’ She described it as a coalition of Western Hemisphere nations united by shared priorities.
Drawing on her previous experience, the former governor of South Dakota stated her intention to apply best practices learned during her time at the Department of Homeland Security. “I will be advising them and working with them on border security and what they need to do to stop illegal immigration and mass migration,” Noem explained.
She further likened the initiative to NATO, suggesting it could foster greater economic benefits and bring participating countries into alignment with “American values and American freedom,” potentially making it even stronger than the existing military alliance.
Background of Noem’s Departure from DHS
Noem’s appointment comes after a period of controversy during her tenure at the Department of Homeland Security. She was dismissed from her role following testimony on Capitol Hill regarding a significant advertising campaign. Reports indicated that former President Trump had personally approved a $220 million advertisement initiative, which prominently featured Noem riding a horse and alongside a herd of bison in South Dakota.
During questioning, it was suggested that Noem may have used the advertisement for personal promotion rather than to advance the President’s agenda. A fellow Republican reportedly questioned the approval process, expressing disbelief that the President would have agreed to such a campaign without thorough review.
Following this testimony, Noem was reportedly terminated from her DHS position. The former President subsequently stated that he had not approved or reviewed the advertising campaign.
