Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has assumed a new position within President Donald Trump’s administration, joining the State Department as a senior adviser months after her departure from the Cabinet.
Noem confirmed Friday, October 16, that she is now working under Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, marking another transition in her responsibilities as the administration continues its security initiatives across the Western Hemisphere.
The announcement follows the expiration of her appointment as special envoy to the Shield of the Americas, a regional initiative focused on strengthening cooperation between the United States and countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Noem explained in a social media post that her previous assignment had always been intended to last six months.
The appointment expired in September, shortly before the United Nations General Assembly, prompting her transition into the new advisory position.
The State Department confirmed Thursday that Noem remains involved in efforts to coordinate regional security cooperation, despite no longer serving as special envoy.
Her responsibilities continue to center on diplomatic engagement and security partnerships involving countries throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The move comes approximately seven months after Trump replaced Noem as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
In March, the president selected Markwayne Mullin to lead the department, ending Noem’s tenure in one of the administration’s most prominent Cabinet positions.
Following her departure from DHS, Noem was assigned to the Shield of the Americas initiative, which was established to strengthen relationships between the United States and several Caribbean and Latin American nations.
The coalition focuses on economic cooperation, efforts to combat international drug cartels and other regional security challenges.
As special envoy, Noem participated in diplomatic discussions with foreign governments and worked with officials involved in the administration’s broader regional strategy.
Although she has maintained a lower public profile since leaving Homeland Security, Noem has continued representing the administration in meetings with international leaders.
Among her recent engagements was a meeting with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, reflecting the administration’s continued diplomatic outreach in South America.
She also held discussions with Ecuadorian and Colombian diplomats in Washington during September.
Those meetings were followed by additional engagements with regional leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Her activities suggest that the transition to the State Department will allow her to continue working on several of the same diplomatic and security priorities that defined her previous assignment, per Just the News.
The decision also keeps Noem within the Trump administration despite her removal from the Homeland Security leadership position earlier this year.
Her new role places her under Landau, who serves as deputy secretary of state and is involved in coordinating the department’s diplomatic operations.
Unlike her previous Cabinet position, the senior adviser role does not give Noem direct control over a major federal department.
Instead, she will continue contributing to the administration’s foreign policy efforts through the State Department.
The State Department has not announced whether Noem’s latest assignment will have a predetermined expiration date or outlined additional responsibilities beyond her existing regional security work.
Noem’s transition marks the latest development in her continued service under Trump, following her departure from DHS and subsequent appointment as a special envoy.
For now, the former Homeland Security chief remains part of the administration, with her responsibilities shifting from domestic security leadership to international diplomacy and regional cooperation.
