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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing backlash due to a recent photo opportunity that many have deemed reckless. The incident occurred while she was participating in activities with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Arizona law enforcement officials.
In a video shared on X, Noem was filmed standing between two officers. While discussing their operations, she pointed a firearm, which was reportedly an M4, in the direction of an officer’s head.
“Here we are with Marco and Brian today,” she explained, unintentionally directing the gun’s muzzle toward the latter officer. “They’re letting me roll with them. We’re going to go out and pick up somebody who I think has got charges of human trafficking,” she added. “We earlier had an op that swept up somebody that was wanted for murder. So appreciate the good work that they do every day, and we appreciate them working to make America safe.”
The reaction to her display was overwhelmingly critical. Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a veteran with Marine service, expressed his concerns on X.
“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?” he questioned, while also addressing her role in immigration enforcement practices. “4. Stop deporting people without due process.”
In another post, Gallego captured a video underlining his critique: “Kristi Noem doesn’t know how to hold a gun or run the Department of Homeland Security.”
Military journalist Alex Horton, who also served in Iraq, noted that Noem demonstrated poor gun safety practices. He remarked, “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,” and criticized both her and the nearby agent for their lack of proper safety discipline.
Responses from various commentators included pointed critiques of Noem’s weapon handling. Some, including Barstool podcast hosts, highlighted the danger of her actions, stating, “so many things wrong here but let’s start with not pointing the barrel of that rifle at your buddy’s head.”
Even individuals aligned with the right voiced concerns, with one commenter asking, “Do we really need Kristi Noem cosplaying as a door-kicker?” suggesting that her actions were theatrical rather than effective.
John Davidson, a senior editor at The Federalist, chimed in, declaring, “Whatever your politics or views on immigration, I think we can all agree that these photo ops are ridiculous.”
Some critics took the opportunity to reference an incident from Noem’s past, wherein she admitted to shooting and killing her own puppy, adding a darker tone to their commentary. New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich sarcastically captioned an image of her posing with the firearm: “Kristi Noem preparing to break down the door of your local pet shelter.”
Source
www.yahoo.com