Kristi Noem accused of using fake State Department letterhead

Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is accused of posting an unauthorized statement on social media using fabricated State Department letterhead. The statement, shared on X on October 16, addressed her job status following rumors that she had fallen out of favor within the administration.

The unauthorized release claimed that her role as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas was always intended to be a six-month appointment and stated that she would continue working at the State Department as a senior adviser. However, State Department officials and sources familiar with her work have confirmed that department leadership never authorized the statement and that the letterhead used was not official.

Noem previously served as the Secretary of Homeland Security before being replaced by Senator Markwayne Mullin on March 5, 2026. Following that transition, she was appointed as a special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a U.S.-led security partnership. The State Department has since confirmed that her appointment as special envoy has expired.