Kristi Noem no longer serving as Trump envoy to Shield of the Americas

Envoy role has ended

A State Department official said Thursday that Noem is no longer serving as the administration’s special envoy for the Shield of the Americas. The official said she continues to participate in the administration’s work on security coordination across the Western Hemisphere.

Noem received the envoy appointment in March, following her removal as homeland security secretary. Her leadership of that department had faced growing scrutiny, including questions about adviser Corey Lewandowski’s influence.

Coalition spans the hemisphere

The Shield of the Americas was established by the Trump administration earlier this year. Its members include the United States and several countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.

The coalition’s work covers economic matters, enforcement against cartels and other issues. Security cooperation is also part of the administration’s effort involving countries across the Western Hemisphere.

Noem represented initiative publicly

On Sept. 22, Noem met with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. His government publicly described her as the Shield of the Americas special envoy. Lewandowski appeared in photographs from the visits. The State Department later said he held no formal position at the department.