Social media roasts Noem over unique style choices
New Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has raised eyebrows on social media for some of her unique style choices.
"Kristi Noem seems to think that serving as a Cabinet secretary is akin to attending a Halloween party," one user on social media said in response to Noem appearing on NBCβs "Meet the Press" with a cowboy hat. "These costumes are just getting ridiculous."
The post comes after Noem was gifted a Border Patrol cowboy hat by agents in Texas on Sunday, according to a report from News Nation, where the new Homeland Security secretary went on a ride-along with the Horse Patrol unit and was later seen shaking hands and posing for photos with agents while sporting the hat.
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But some users on social media believed her choice of attire on television Sunday was questionable.
"Cosplay Kristi is at it again on Meet the Press," quipped journalist Aaron Rupar in response to Noemβs appearance on the program.
"Fascists are always so obsessed with aesthetics [sic] I donβt get it," wrote one user.
"So cringe," wrote another.
"We are not a serious country," one user on X added.
Other social media users rushed to Noemβs defense, with many pointing out that the attire is normal in her home state of South Dakota.
"Across America people β in places like Kristi's ranch β those hats aren't costumes as you know them. People actually wear them every day for work and whenever they are outdoors," one X user said.
"Sheβs from South Dakota, owns farmland and runs a ranch," added another. "Stands to reason she would have a cowboy hat."
"She posts pics on her farm all the time. She canβt wear one of her hats? Yβall are so weird," added another user.
Noemβs office did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.
Reached for comment, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital Noem spent her first week on the job with "border agents at the southern and northern borders as well as on an ICE enforcement operation targeting high target criminals."
"Secretary Noem is proud to wear the uniform of the DHS agents who protect Americans and our homeland," Mclaughlin added. "I've yet to hear screeching when a man puts on a hat or protective vest. Critics are embarrassing themselves revealing that they are more concerned about what the Secretary of DHS wears than they are that Mayorkas allowed 15 million immigrants into this country in just four years."