Ridicule follows Kristi Noem as she assumes new role
Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was reassigned to the newly created position of Special Envoy to the Shield of the Americas following her firing, a clear downgrade from Cabinet-level authority.
Her new position follows President Donald Trump's criticism of Noem's massive taxpayer expenditure on a commercial promoting herself at the DHS.
CBS News reported Noem will answer directly to Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau, triggering widespread ridicule on social media.
Critics compared her new role to a humiliating punishment, with Charlotte Clymer writing, "in March Madness terms, this is basically like getting kicked off the starting five and [winding] up as the unlucky student who ensures the team mascot isn't being hassled by drunk frat boys."
Observers mocked the position as fabricated and powerless, with one commentator invoking "The Office" character Dwight Schrute's obsession with meaningless titles. The demotion comes amid reports that Corey Lewandowski wielded significant control over DHS operations during Noem's tenure.
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