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Kristi Noem Ripped For Photo Op Where She Points Gun Barrel At Officer’s Head: ‘Worst Possible Place to Point It’ [1]
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Date: 2025-04-08 21:27:41+00:00
President Donald Trump’s secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, was roundly condemned on Tuesday over a photo op in which she accidentally pointed a gun at a border patrol officer’s head.
In the clip Noem posted to X, she stands between two officers and says, “Here we are with Marco and Brian today. They’re letting me roll with them. We’re going to go out and pick up somebody who I think is– got charges of human trafficking. 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.”
While Noem donning tactical gear and joining operations for the cameras has become routine in recent weeks, observers were quick to note her mishandling of the weapon in her hand.
Washington Post military reporter Alex Horton replied to the video, “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. No one stopped her, including the agent to her left, who should know better but also has bad muzzle discipline.”
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. No one stopped her, including the agent to her left, who should know better but also has bad muzzle discipline.
https://t.co/lwM08K4m3C — Alex Horton (@AlexHortonTX) April 8, 2025
Conservative New York Times columnist David French commented, “This is what LARPing looks like” – referring to live-action role play.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a former Marine, replied:
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? 4. Stop deporting people without due process.
Below are some additional reactions from across the political spectrum:
so many things wrong here but let's start with not pointing the barrel of that rifle at your buddy's head @boldamericanpod
https://t.co/dhKY9zDEVq — Cons (@CaptainCons) April 8, 2025
Firearm safety tip: Never hold your gun like this
https://t.co/5VsrfHKp85 — Drew Harwell (@drewharwell) April 8, 2025
Conservatives need a distinct aesthetic, but this one isn't it. The Bukele visuals work because it is El Salvador; the American aesthetic should be a cut above—a nod to the old G-Man, rather than "girlboss tacticool." Agency head shouldn't pretend to be an operator, feels fake.
https://t.co/WymkkFW44P — Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) April 8, 2025
PSA: If Secretary Noem personally shoots or arrests you (or your dog), please email me. I have some legal theories that I've been champing at the bit to test out. (I work for free at a non-profit.)
https://t.co/jHYOMei612 — Patrick Jaicomo (@pjaicomo) April 8, 2025
Whatever your politics or views on immigration, I think we can all agree that these photo ops are ridiculous.
https://t.co/agG0RUvVYE — John Daniel Davidson (@johnddavidson) April 8, 2025
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[1] Url:
https://www.mediaite.com/news/kristi-noem-ripped-for-photo-op-where-she-points-gun-barrel-at-officers-head-worst-possible-place-to-point-it/
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