Kristi Noem Accused of Posting Unauthorized Press Release After Envoy Role Ends

On October 16, former Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem posted a statement on both her official envoy account and personal X account that used State Department letterhead. The statement asserted that her appointment as special envoy to the “Shield of the Americas” security initiative “was always a six-month appointment” and that she would remain at the State Department as a senior advisor. Two people familiar with her work told Politico that senior leadership had not approved the announcement and that the letterhead was fabricated.

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Kristi Noem was removed from her post as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in March 2026 after intense scrutiny of her immigration policies. President Donald Trump subsequently appointed her as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a U.S.–led initiative focused on security cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean nations. The envoy position was understood to be a six-month assignment, which expired in September 2026. Following the expiration, Noem’s status shifted to senior advisor within the State Department, reporting to Deputy Secretary Landau.

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A State Department official confirmed to CBS News correspondent Olivia Gazit that the document posted by Noem was created using fabricated State Department letterhead and was not an official press release. Noem and her representatives have not issued any further comment or defense of the post.

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• “A State Department official confirmed that a statement posted by Kristi Noem to her official envoy account and personal X account was created using fabricated State Department letterhead and was not an official department press release; first reported by Politico.” — Oliva Gazis, news correspondent

Kristi Noem under fire for posting fake press release about State Department position

The allegation that Noem herself fabricated the letterhead remains unverified. The State Department official’s confirmation only addressed the lack of authorization for the release; no evidence has been presented identifying who produced the counterfeit letterhead. Noem’s legal team has not responded to requests for comment, leaving the precise origin of the document unclear.

TMZ

No public indication has been given of any disciplinary action or further investigation by the State Department regarding the unauthorized release. The matter remains open pending any additional statements from Noem, the State Department, or other investigative bodies.

The Independent