Kristi Noem’s ICE Ride-Along Photo Backfires, Criticized for Dangerous Gun Handling!

Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota, found herself embroiled in controversy after a photo surfaced of her holding an M4 rifle during a ride-along with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The picture, which was intended to show Noem’s support for law enforcement, quickly became a target for criticism, particularly for her apparent disregard for firearm safety.

In the image, Noem is seen holding the rifle with the muzzle aimed directly at the head of an officer standing beside her. This photo was taken while she accompanied ICE agents Marco and Brian on a mission to apprehend individuals accused of serious crimes, including human trafficking and murder. The governor, who is a vocal supporter of law enforcement, posted a video with the image, thanking the officers for their daily work to protect the country.

“Here we are with Marco and Brian today,” Noem says in the video, with the rifle’s muzzle pointed directly at Brian. “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.” Noem expressed her gratitude toward the agents for their efforts in keeping America safe, mentioning a previous operation that led to the capture of a suspect wanted for murder.

However, what was intended to be a show of solidarity with law enforcement soon turned into a backlash, with many people online criticizing Noem for her handling of the firearm. The most notable critiques came from veterans and military personnel who were quick to point out significant issues with Noem’s gun safety.

Veterans and Politicians React

One of the first to speak out was Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a former Marine and Iraq War veteran. Gallego took to social media, questioning Noem’s gun safety practices and pointing out several mistakes. “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 the magazine, why are you flagging the guy next to you?” Gallego wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He also criticized Noem for her role in the Trump administration’s deportation policies, adding, “Stop deporting people without due process.”

Gallego later posted a video, stating, “Kristi Noem doesn’t know how to hold a gun or run the Department of Homeland Security.”

Alex Horton, a military reporter for The Washington Post and another Iraq veteran, also weighed in, highlighting the lack of muzzle discipline. Horton explained that the rifle’s muzzle was aimed at an agent’s head, while the dust cover was open, indicating a round was chambered. He stressed that this was the worst possible place to point a firearm and criticized the lack of intervention by the agent standing next to Noem, who should have known better.

Social Media Backlash

The criticisms continued to flood social media, with many commenting on Noem’s apparent inexperience with firearms. A host from Barstool Sports pointed out the dangers of the photo, saying, “So many things wrong here but let’s start with not pointing the barrel of that rifle at your buddy’s head.”

Others on X were similarly blunt. One user wrote, “Why is Kristi Noem holding the gun right at that agent’s head? I like her, but this tells me she doesn’t know sh*t about guns.”

Even some of Noem’s political allies on the right joined the chorus of criticism. Conservative podcast host Jesse Kelly questioned the motives behind the photo op, asking, “Do we really need Kristi Noem cosplaying as a door-kicker?” Kelly called it “clownish” and “embarrassing,” suggesting that photo opportunities like this were unnecessary and that the real work of ICE agents should not be overshadowed by politicians seeking publicity.

John Davidson, a senior editor at The Federalist, also chimed in, pointing out that regardless of political views on immigration, such photo ops were “ridiculous” and only served to undermine the seriousness of law enforcement efforts.

Criticism of Noem’s Past

In addition to the backlash over her firearm handling, some critics also alluded to a controversial moment from Noem’s past. Years ago, Noem admitted to accidentally shooting and killing her puppy. This incident became part of the criticism, with New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich sharing the controversial photo and captioning it, “Kristi Noem preparing to break down the door of your local pet shelter.”

While some viewed this comment as an attempt to ridicule Noem for her past actions, it also became a focal point in the broader discussion about her credibility and qualifications in firearms and law enforcement.

Noem’s Response

Despite the overwhelming criticism, Noem’s office has not made a public statement regarding the specific concerns raised about her gun handling in the photo. Some supporters of the governor argue that the photo was merely intended to highlight the important work done by ICE agents and show Noem’s solidarity with law enforcement. They suggest that the backlash is exaggerated and that the photo was taken out of context.

Conclusion

Kristi Noem’s controversial photo with the gun pointed at an officer’s head serves as a reminder of the importance of firearm safety, particularly for public figures who are seen as role models. The criticism from military veterans, politicians, and social media users underscores how quickly a photo can go viral and spark debates about professionalism and safety standards.

Noem’s intent to show support for law enforcement may have been genuine, but the controversy surrounding her handling of the firearm is likely to remain a topic of discussion for some time.

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