What is Shield of the Americas? What We Know About Kristi Noem's New Role
Source: Newsweek
President Donald Trump said he is appointing Kristi Noem as his “special envoy for the Shield of the Americas” as he announced her removal as homeland security secretary. The White House says the initiative reflects Trump’s effort to shift U.S. national security strategy toward the Western Hemisphere.
Trump is scheduled to meet Saturday with leaders from 11 Latin American countries at his golf club in Doral, Florida, for what the administration is calling a “Shield” summit. Leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago are expected to attend, according to the White House. The administration says the initiative would rely on U.S. military and intelligence capabilities to a degree not seen in the region since the end of the Cold War.
Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/what-is-shield-of-the-americas-kristi-noem-role-11629111
My headline would have been "WTF is This Shield of America Bullshit and How Does it Distract From the Epstein Files?"
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Goonch
(4,691 posts)
Martin68
(27,498 posts)
Marie Marie
(11,169 posts)do in her new job?
LiberalArkie
(19,653 posts)Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago
rampartd
(4,488 posts)
erronis
(23,498 posts)
blue_jay
(237 posts)Last edited Fri Mar 6, 2026, 01:19 AM - Edit history (1)
BaronChocula
(4,400 posts)a couple hours ago. May have been Myles Taylor who said people who are fired from the Diapersphere are disgruntled and write tell-all books. So keep 'em close and continue their healthcare.
Seinan Sensei
(1,500 posts)Living is the house traditionally reserved for our U.S. Coast Guard Commandant.
BaronChocula
(4,400 posts)I wonder if this would even make a list of nominees at this point.
sheshe2
(97,071 posts)Link to tweet
Thank you
@POTUS
Trump for appointing me as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas.
@SecRubio
and
@SecWar
are incredible leaders and I look forward to working with them closely to dismantle cartels that have poured drugs into our nation and killed our children and grandchildren.
The Western Hemisphere is absolutely critical for U.S. security. In this new role, I will be able to build on the partnerships and national security expertise, I forged over the last 13 months as Secretary of Homeland Security.
We have made historic accomplishments at the Department of Homeland Security to make America safe again: we delivered the MOST secure border in American history, 3 million illegal aliens have left the U.S., we have located 145,000 children, FEMA delivered disaster relief at a 100% faster rate, we ushered in the golden age of travel, saved the American taxpayer $13 billion and revitalized the U.S. Coast Guard.
Gag me! What a crock.
tonekat
(2,510 posts)
niyad
(131,588 posts)BaronChocula
(4,400 posts)paleotn
(22,024 posts)
OKIsItJustMe
(21,755 posts)…
What is The Shield of the Americas?
The regional coalition of countries in Latin America will work together on ideology and policy initiatives that help secure the Western Hemisphere, according to the White House.
The Shield of the Americas will be be guided in part by the president’s foreign policy initiatives dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine,” fashioned after the Monroe Doctrine. The administration has described the doctrine as enlisting “established friends” in the Western Hemisphere to pursue U.S. aims, and expanding ties by “cultivating and strengthening new partners.”
Since Trump returned to office last January, he has directed the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” plans to “take back” the Panama Canal, efforts to acquire Greenland and make Canada the 51st state.
A summit making the Shield of the Americas official is set to take place this weekend in Miami, and may largely focus on counterterrorism measures in the region as a group of Latin American leaders assemble on American soil.
…
niyad
(131,588 posts)OKIsItJustMe
(21,755 posts)However, I think we can predict what the administration’s intentions are toward this body.
https://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-shield-of-the-americas-summit-and-donald-trumps-latin-america-strategy
March 4, 2026
By: Adam Ratzlaff
The US cannot sustain its influence in the Western Hemisphere through only multilateral bodies that the Trump administration chooses to engage with.
The Trump administration has made the Western Hemisphere a focal point of its foreign policy. From Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling for an “Americas First” foreign policy to the announcement of a Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine to the prominence of the Americas in the 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS), the administration has made clear that it sees the Americas as part of the US’ immediate sphere of influence. At the same time, however, the administration has turned away from multilateral engagement with the region.
The administration has withdrawn from three regional bodies and threatened to cut funding for several other key regional bodies—even as the recently passed budget secured a $75 million increase in funding for the Inter-American Development Bank’s private-sector portfolio. Questions surrounding the administration’s approach to the region and no clear commitment that President Donald Trump would attend also led to the postponement of the X Summit of the Americas, slated for last December.
Rather than working toward a postponed Summit of the Americas, the Trump administration is hosting the “Shield of the Americas Summit” with select Latin American leaders in Miami on March 7, 2026, suggesting that its approach is to narrow the alliance to like-minded leaders to support US interests in the region. While this is not the first administration to attempt this approach, the region’s challenges—and US interests in the region—require a collective, long-term commitment. This approach fails to generate the necessary support and risks failing to meet its longer-term objectives.
…
niyad
(131,588 posts)
tanyev
(49,082 posts)
thesquanderer
(12,961 posts)niyad
(131,588 posts)
LeftInTX
(34,097 posts)
underpants
(195,985 posts)niyad
(131,588 posts)appmanga
(1,469 posts)I can't wait to see her in a Wonder Woman type outfit and toting a Captain America-like shield.
tanyev
(49,082 posts)
sheshe2
(97,071 posts)
It's time for a new set of costumes.
IbogaProject
(5,792 posts)I hope she doesnt get airplanes w beds. And I want her and Miller out of their respective senior officer's quarters on base.
Tripper11
(4,458 posts)The Shield of the Americas
As of March 2026, "The Shield of the Americas" is a high-profile security initiative recently announced by the Trump administration. It is not an established government "department" like the Department of Defense, but rather a strategic framework and special envoy position.Here is the breakdown of what it is and its current status:What is The Shield of the Americas?It is a regional security initiative focused on the Western Hemisphere. Its primary goal is to increase security cooperation between the United States and "like-minded" nations in Latin and South America. Key focus areas include:Immigration Control: Coordinating efforts to manage migration flows and border security across the region.Counter-Proliferation: Preventing the spread of sensitive technology and munitions to adversaries.Political Alliances: Building a "Right-Wing South American Alliance" to counter the influence of regional rivals.When did it start?The initiative was officially thrust into the spotlight on March 5, 2026.President Trump announced the role of Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas on this date.Kristi Noem was appointed as the first Special Envoy for the program, moving into the role after stepping down as the Secretary of Homeland Security.More specific details and formal operational structures are expected to be unveiled during a summit in Doral, Florida, on Saturday, March 7, 2026.Who pays for it?As a U.S. government initiative, it is funded by U.S. taxpayers through federal budget allocations.Lead Agency: The program is closely tied to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department.Budgeting: Funding for such initiatives typically comes from the "International Security Assistance" portion of the federal budget or specific DHS appropriations.Partner Contributions: While the U.S. provides the primary funding and leadership, participating nations in the "Shield Alliance" are expected to contribute their own local resources and personnel to joint operations.Note on "Shield America": Do not confuse this new initiative with Shield America, a long-standing industry outreach program run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since at least 2001, which focuses specifically on preventing illegal exports of technology.
As of **March 2026**, "The Shield of the Americas" is a high-profile security initiative recently announced by the Trump administration. It is not an established government "department" like the Department of Defense, but rather a strategic framework and special envoy position.
Here is the breakdown of what it is and its current status:
### What is The Shield of the Americas?
It is a **regional security initiative** focused on the Western Hemisphere. Its primary goal is to increase security cooperation between the United States and "like-minded" nations in Latin and South America. Key focus areas include:
* **Immigration Control * Coordinating efforts to manage migration flows and border security across the region.
* **Counter-Proliferation * Preventing the spread of sensitive technology and munitions to adversaries.
* **Political Alliances * Building a "Right-Wing South American Alliance" to counter the influence of regional rivals.
### When did it start?
The initiative was officially thrust into the spotlight on **March 5, 2026**.
* President Trump announced the role of **Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas** on this date.
* **Kristi Noem** was appointed as the first Special Envoy for the program, moving into the role after stepping down as the Secretary of Homeland Security.
* More specific details and formal operational structures are expected to be unveiled during a summit in **Doral, Florida, on Saturday, March 7, 2026**.
### Who pays for it?
As a U.S. government initiative, it is funded by **U.S. taxpayers** through federal budget allocations.
* **Lead Agency * The program is closely tied to the **Department of Homeland Security (DHS)** and the **State Department**.
* **Budgeting * Funding for such initiatives typically comes from the "International Security Assistance" portion of the federal budget or specific DHS appropriations.
* **Partner Contributions * While the U.S. provides the primary funding and leadership, participating nations in the "Shield Alliance" are expected to contribute their own local resources and personnel to joint operations.
---
**Note on "Shield America" * Do not confuse this new initiative with *Shield America*, a long-standing industry outreach program run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since at least 2001, which focuses specifically on preventing illegal exports of technology.
As of **March 2026**, "The Shield of the Americas" is a high-profile security initiative recently announced by the Trump administration. It is not an established government "department" like the Department of Defense, but rather a strategic framework and special envoy position.
Here is the breakdown of what it is and its current status:
### What is The Shield of the Americas?
It is a **regional security initiative** focused on the Western Hemisphere. Its primary goal is to increase security cooperation between the United States and "like-minded" nations in Latin and South America. Key focus areas include:
* **Immigration Control * Coordinating efforts to manage migration flows and border security across the region.
* **Counter-Proliferation * Preventing the spread of sensitive technology and munitions to adversaries.
* **Political Alliances * Building a "Right-Wing South American Alliance" to counter the influence of regional rivals.
### When did it start?
The initiative was officially thrust into the spotlight on **March 5, 2026**.
* President Trump announced the role of **Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas** on this date.
* **Kristi Noem** was appointed as the first Special Envoy for the program, moving into the role after stepping down as the Secretary of Homeland Security.
* More specific details and formal operational structures are expected to be unveiled during a summit in **Doral, Florida, on Saturday, March 7, 2026**.
### Who pays for it?
As a U.S. government initiative, it is funded by **U.S. taxpayers** through federal budget allocations.
* **Lead Agency * The program is closely tied to the **Department of Homeland Security (DHS)** and the **State Department**.
* **Budgeting * Funding for such initiatives typically comes from the "International Security Assistance" portion of the federal budget or specific DHS appropriations.
* **Partner Contributions * While the U.S. provides the primary funding and leadership, participating nations in the "Shield Alliance" are expected to contribute their own local resources and personnel to joint operations.
muriel_volestrangler
(106,027 posts)https://www.as-coa.org/articles/trump-latin-america-rubio-caricom-scotus-tariffs-and-trumps-sotu#whats-coming-up
So Trump had set up the meeting at his golf club (ar ethe others paying for that? I'd guess so) 3 weeks ago. So the OP "Epstein distraction" still fits. I can also find this, from Dec 11, 2025:
The President of El Salvador and the President of Costa Rica signed the documents to officially create and launch the so-called “Shield of the Americas”. The signing took place on December 11, 2025, during the official visit of the President of Costa Rica to El Salvador. The location of the signing was the presidential residence at Lake Coatepeque.
El Salvador and Costa Rica have taken a historic step by launching Americas Shield, a new bilateral initiative designed to confront the growing threat of transnational criminal networks.
Presented jointly by President Nayib Bukele and President Rodrigo Chaves, the initiative establishes a coordinated security framework meant to match the reach and sophistication of the criminal organizations operating across Latin America.
The concept of a unified regional defense against organized crime is not entirely new. President Bukele had already brought up the idea during his official visit to Costa Rica last year, where he emphasized the need for countries to move from isolated efforts to a shared regional strategy.
According to both governments, this new visit by President Chaves to El Salvador—after months of preparation and refinement of the proposal—marks the moment when the long-discussed vision becomes a concrete and operational initiative: the creation of the Americas Shield.
https://elsalvadoren.com/shield-of-the-americas-a-joint-front-against-transnational-crime/
Nice to know I can still out-research Gemini. Also, "high-profile" is obvious BS - when Noem was nominated to it, everyone was "huh????".
So I think El Salvador and Costa Rica set it up between them, and either they started inviting others, and then Trump waded in and snatched it from them, or he (OK, Miller, Rubio or some other lackey) did that first, and thought "we need a few more names on this, for it to be useful as a distraction".
Tripper11
(4,458 posts)It just seemed so out of the blue and made up. Some days you just can't keep up.
niyad
(131,588 posts)OKIsItJustMe
(21,755 posts)muriel_volestrangler
(106,027 posts)and the similarity between "hemispheric security matters" and El Salvador and Costa Rica's "security framework" to fight "transnational criminal networks" indicates Trump hijacked it from them. No, no-one is openly admitting it became an Epstein distraction tool in February, but that idea, from the OP, does seem a good working hypothesis.
OKIsItJustMe
(21,755 posts)Could be, I suppose… The attack on Iran seems a more likely Epstein distraction to me.
This will only be a distraction if people pay a lot of attention to it and I don’t think people will.
Wild blueberry
(8,238 posts)Does Corey come with?
barbtries
(31,281 posts)will corey keep his job and start flying around with markwayne?
these corrupt and greedy motherfuckers make me crazy.
BaronChocula
(4,400 posts)You're evil to put that image in people's minds. 
"WHERE ARE THE SCENTED CANDLES AND ROSE PETALS SECRETARY MULLIN REQUESTED!?!?"
underpants
(195,985 posts)and sit in on meaningless meetings.
barbtries
(31,281 posts)didn't work then, won't work now. but they'll sure cause a lot of suffering in the meantime.
Figarosmom
(11,365 posts)He knows there is more he can extort from South America and little left in Europe. Europe has pretty much told him to pound sand, they'll do without the States.
Emile
(41,875 posts)
pat_k
(13,107 posts)... to rid them of cartels and anyone else deemed an adversary of the "homeland " (my interpretation)
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/5/trump-administration-doubles-down-on-military-action-in-latin-america
Miller further maintained there is no criminal justice solution to drug cartels, which he likened to armed groups like al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).
Organised crime, he concluded, can only be defeated with military power.
I don't remember Eliot Ness being military... but he and his law enforcement people cleaned up a lot of bad people back in the day. Sorry to see America fall to the lowest common denominator of "mine's bigger than yours."
We are so sorely f*&ked. I have no idea HOW we come back from this. Rigging elections, cheating, gerrymandering, stolen election boxes, polls that take 5 hours to vote at. Voting was the only way. Are they now saying we have to go military on their election cheating?
lonely bird
(2,875 posts)He needs to be as far from the levers of power as possible.
jgmiller
(682 posts)
Uncle Joe
(64,842 posts)Thanks for the thread BaronChocula
BaronChocula
(4,400 posts)
niyad
(131,588 posts)D. Spaulding
(496 posts)
liberalla
(11,004 posts)He's mad at Brazil. They locked up his pal Bolsonaro, and have a good man in President Lula... (who won't do dirty deals with the felon)
Bread and Circuses
(1,887 posts)
chowder66
(12,130 posts)
Norrrm
(4,712 posts)
AllaN01Bear
(29,207 posts)
comradebillyboy
(10,952 posts)It just gets Noem out of the public gaze until she can quietly move on.
FadedMullet
(857 posts).......engage her in conversation about their respective (and differing) security needs, asking numerous questions of her to test if she really knows anything about either country.
BaronChocula
(4,400 posts)"Yo mato perros."
FadedMullet
(857 posts)Iggo
(49,860 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(178,424 posts)
LudwigPastorius
(14,544 posts)
?stollen
(1,136 posts)Called “the Golden Fucking Parachute?”
Swede
(39,119 posts)
Botany
(77,039 posts)The United States gets the Americas, Russia gets Russia along with Europe, and China gets Asia.
COL Mustard
(8,139 posts)Is Ambassador to Albania, or someplace else. Kind of like Kimberly Guilfoyle.
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(134,779 posts)
enigmania
(445 posts)a 'fancy' name for another sordid wealth transfer engine.
llmart
(17,529 posts)I thought Trumpty Dumpty was going to start a war with Ecuador? Or maybe that is soooo...last week's initiative.
valleyrogue
(2,663 posts)Tasmanian Devil
(128 posts)Sorry, but I've been told I need to experiment more with AI, so this happened.
FadedMullet
(857 posts)
orleans
(36,826 posts)Moskowitz: "Let me congratulate the former Homeland Security Secretary on her appointment to be the Shield of Americas, which I'm pretty sure the president came up with when he watched the last Avengers movie"
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-03-05T20:18:12.813Z
Moskowitz: "Let me congratulate the former Homeland Security Secretary on her appointment to be the Shield of Americas, which I'm pretty sure the president came up with when he watched the last Avengers movie"
Old Crank
(6,857 posts)along for the ride?