Kristi Noem Ends Western Hemisphere Tour in Diminished Role After DHS Firing

Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem concluded a multi-nation tour of Western Hemisphere countries on Wednesday, marking her transition into a significantly reduced position following her dismissal by President Donald Trump earlier this month. Noem, once considered one of Trump's most high-profile loyalists, now serves as a special envoy to the Shield of the Americas — a coalition focused on combating drug cartels — reporting to Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau rather than directly to the president.

During her final stop in Ecuador, Noem met with President Daniel Noboa, who presented her with an order of merit. Throughout the tour, she visited the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guyana, and Ecuador while still traveling aboard a DHS Gulfstream G700 jet. Upon returning to the United States, she is not expected to retain access to government aircraft. A DHS spokesperson declined to comment on the plane's use or the involvement of agency staff.

The Shield of the Americas, launched on March 7, unites primarily right-leaning South American leaders in a Trump-backed initiative to aggressively target drug trafficking networks and reinforce U.S. influence across the Western Hemisphere. In Costa Rica, Noem signed an agreement allowing the country to accept third-country nationals deported from the United States — described by the U.S. Embassy in San José as her last official act in both roles.

Accompanying Noem throughout the trip was longtime Trump operative Corey Lewandowski, who previously served as her aide at DHS. His presence drew renewed attention after a Democratic lawmaker questioned their relationship during a recent congressional hearing, an allegation Noem publicly dismissed. A State Department official confirmed Lewandowski would not be joining the department in any official capacity.