Noem Taking Heat Over Photo Op With Firearm

Guns are serious things, not props.

Unless you’re using them as props, which Hollywood does all the time, and no one bats an eye.

But if you’re a Republican member of President Trump’s cabinet, things get a little different.

It seems that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem took the opportunity to pose for a picture following an ICE raid in Arizona. And, it seems, a lot of people have opinions about the picture.

Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, drew mockery — and concern — on social media after posting video showing her holding an assault rifle with the muzzle pointed toward the head of a law enforcement officer.

“Human traffickers. Drug Smugglers. 18th Street Gang members. Spent the morning in Phoenix with our brave @ICEgov and Arizona law enforcement arresting these dirtbags and getting them off of our streets,” Noem posted Tuesday along with the video introducing officers “Michael” and “Brian.”

Quite a few military veterans replied to the video, expressing concern for “Brian,” who was standing to the secretary’s left.

One veteran reposted the photo with the word, “Ummmmm…..” and a cringey-face emoji, while another questioned, “just why is she holding a weapon she isn’t authorized to have?” Still another wrote, “You probably shouldn’t hold that or at least know what you’re doing.”

Political analyst David Fitzpatrick posted, “Great, okay but could we at least practice better gun safety measures for a photo op? I appreciate the work, the collaboration, the optics, but gun handling is a pet peeve of mine. Muzzle down, or pointed in a safe position loaded or unloaded – unless engaging a target.”

Now, let’s look at the photo for a moment, first.

Now, I personally don’t think it’s pointed at the dude’s head, as suggested in the story. It’s pointed way too close to his head, mind you, but it appears to be directed just in front of his head. No, that’s not great, but let’s not get things twisted here.

But Noem really should be taking some heat over this, because it’s stupid.

First, it’s not like she was actually kicking in doors on the raids. She likely wasn’t armed during the raids and probably had a bodyguard element around her so she wouldn’t need a firearm.

This is nothing but a photo op designed to make her look badass.

Instead, she’s handling the gun like someone who has never even seen a firearm in her life. We all know better, but much of the criticism quoted above isn’t anyone really saying she’s pointing at a person’s head, but that she’s handing a gun like an idiot.

And, unfortunately, they’re right.

Look, I like Noem. She’s doing a great job at Homeland Security so far as I can tell. But there was no reason to pose for something like this. It was part of a video on X, where she’s talking about how the two agents are letting her “roll with them” to pick up an illegal wanted for human trafficking charges. 

Kristi Noem clearly understands the power of imagery which is why she makes videos like this – which I’m fine with.

HOWEVER, if you’re going to make videos like this you have to be all in. If you’re going to hold a kitted out SBR’d AR15 then you should be holding it… pic.twitter.com/6LwaKQJFN9

— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) April 8, 2025

That would have been plenty as it was. The gun wasn’t necessary.

Yet, if she were going to handle it at all, which I would still be fine with, if for no other reason than to remind people that guns aren’t just for cops, she should have at least held it like she knew what she was doing.

I have a feeling that this photo is going to pop up anytime she decides to run for office in the future, especially when she brings up her Second Amendment bonafides.