DHS Secretary Noem Mocked Over Rifle Handling In Photo Op With ICE Agents: 'Cosplaying Again?'

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem is being mocked online after posting a picture of herself holding a rifle and wearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apparel ahead of an operation in Arizona.

Some users focused on the way she was holding the rifle, noting that the barrel was pointing at the head of an agent. "Why is she holding it that way?" a user commented, while another edited the video to add a big red arrow along with the gun and a sign saying "don't ever do this."

Other users criticized what appeared to be an expensive watch on her wrist, saying "that $50,000 Rolex is a nice touch, goes well with your costume." "We appreciate your work but it doesn't always need to be a photo op," another user claimed. Overall, her post had more than 5,000 responses, many of them negative.

Noem also brought along Chaya Raichik, a conservative influencer and creator of social media account Libs of TikTok, which has millions of followers across different platforms.

Raichik appeared to wear an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) badge, saying "arrested some criminal illegal aliens with Secretary Noem this morning! Exclusive footage coming soon. Phoenix, Arizona just became a lot safer."

The Libs of TikTok account then posted a series of videos showing parts of the operation. It focused on the arrest of "Mexican National Jose Escobar-Robles who's in our country illegally and is accused of human trafficking and drug trafficking." "He was previously deported and came back into our country illegally. Democrats are mad that people like him are getting arrested," the post added.

The account posted another video in which Noem asks the detainee if he understands the charges against him. After lifting his foot, she says "you're scaring me with your crocs." Noem's official X account republished the videos.