Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has drawn sharp criticism after sharing photos from a recent hunting expedition.
Noem, whose time in federal government was marked by repeated controversy, appeared 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 grips the elk’s antlers while standing next to its body. The crossbow she used is positioned beside the animal.
The post quickly triggered a backlash, with critics describing Noem as ‘murderous,’ ‘absolutely despicable’ and ‘disturbing.’ She responded in the comments by defending her passion for 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 pushed back against critics after posting a series of photos showing an elk she killed during a hunting trip with friends
Noem sparked a heated reaction by sharing images of a large elk killed during her Wyoming hunting trip, including one showing her beside the animal with the bow and arrow she presumably used
‘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 pursuits. Her Instagram bio describes her interests as: ‘Hunting and Horses, Government and Grandkids, Fishing and FREEDOM! God bless America!’
Her hunting post also revived criticism over an earlier disclosure in her book, No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward, that she shot her 14-month-old dog, Cricket.
One commenter referenced that controversy with a sarcastic remark: ‘At least she’s not killing dogs.’
Addressing the continuing outrage, 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.’
The elk image initially appears censored on Noem’s Instagram page, requiring viewers to opt in before seeing the photograph
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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, Our News Outlet previously reported.
