Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has drawn criticism after sharing photographs from a recent hunting expedition.
Noem, whose time in federal office was marked by several controversies, appeared in one image beside a large elk she had killed during a trip to Wyoming.
‘Finally had a little time to post a few pictures of my archery elk. Super fun hunt with Patrick, Randy, Jason, and Taylor,’ she wrote on Instagram, identifying the four friends who joined her.
‘The strategy and work paid off and I’m so grateful for their help and friendship,’ she added.
In the photograph, Noem gripped the elk’s antlers while standing beside its body. A crossbow was positioned next to the animal.
The post quickly attracted harsh reactions, with commenters describing Noem as ‘murderous,’ ‘absolutely despicable’ and ‘disturbing.’ She responded by defending her approach to hunting.
‘For those of you who choose to be ignorant and uninformed and critical, of course this beautiful animal will nourish our family and many others we will share with,’ she wrote.
Kristi Noem responded to critics after posting a series of photographs showing an elk she killed during a hunting trip with friends
Noem sparked a backlash by sharing images of the large elk taken during her Wyoming hunting trip. In one photograph, she stood beside the dead animal with the bow and arrow apparently used in the hunt resting across it
‘These majestic animals are incredible and I’ve so loved learning their ways from my father, sharing memories in the mountains with him and my brothers and now my friends.’
‘Shame on you who desecrate and don’t understand the stewardship responsibilities God has given us. Go to a store and shop for anything that hasn’t been harvested and you will find bare shelves and your family will starve,’ she continued.
Noem has long been open about her enthusiasm for outdoor activities. Her Instagram biography describes her interests as: ‘Hunting and Horses, Government and Grandkids, Fishing and FREEDOM! God bless America!’
Her passion for hunting has also been discussed alongside past criticism over her admission that she shot her 14-month-old dog, Cricket. The account appeared in her book, No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.
One commenter referenced that controversy while reacting to the elk photographs, joking: ‘At least she’s not killing dogs.’
Addressing the criticism, Noem said she ‘can understand why some people are upset about a 20 year old story of Cricket.’
The Republican added: ‘The book is filled with many honest stories of my life, good and bad days, challenges, painful decisions, and lessons learned. What I learned from my years of public service, especially leading South Dakota through COVID, is people are looking for leaders who are authentic, willing to learn from the past, and don’t shy away from tough challenges.’
‘My hope is anyone reading this book will have an understanding that I always work to make the best decisions I can for the people in my life.’
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The image of the elk initially appears censored to some visitors on Noem’s Instagram page, who must choose to view it
Noem faced a wave of negative comments and defended her enthusiasm for hunting
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‘The fact is, South Dakota law states that dogs who attack and kill livestock can be put down. Given that Cricket had shown aggressive behavior toward people by biting them, I decided what I did. Whether running the ranch or in politics, I have never passed on my responsibilities to anyone else to handle. Even if it’s hard and painful.
‘I followed the law and was being a responsible parent, dog owner, and neighbor. As I explained in the book, it wasn’t easy. But often the easy way isn’t the right way.’
Noem claimed she included the tale in her book to show her willingness to do anything ‘difficult, messy and ugly’ if it has to be done.
The Republican writes that she took Cricket on a hunting trip with older dogs in hopes of calming down the wild puppy. Instead, Cricket chased the pheasants while ‘having the time of her life.’
On the way home from the hunting trip, Noem writes that when she stopped to talk to a family, Cricket got out of her truck and attacked and killed some of the family’s chickens, and then bit the governor.
Noem apologized profusely, wrote the distraught family a check for the deceased chickens, and helped them dispose of the carcasses, she writes. She wrote that Cricket ‘was the picture of joy’ as all that unfolded.
‘I hated that dog,’ Noem writes, deeming her ‘untrainable.’
‘At that moment,’ she says, ‘I realized I had to put her down.’
Noem then recalls leading Cricket to a gravel pit and shooting her dead.
Noem has gone from running the president’s mass deportation agenda to a far lower profile special envoy post after Trump forced her out in March.
In April, Noem brought 10 of her closest Homeland Security aides with her to the Shield of the Americas, which is under the State Department umbrella.
But within weeks the White House had placed four of them on leave, including her former deputy chief of staff, the Daily Mail previously reported.