Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) unleashed a blistering critique of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on May 25, 2025, labeling her recent trip to Israel a hollow “photo op” devoid of substance. Speaking on MSNBC’s Weekends with Alex Witt, Crockett dismissed Noem’s visit—prompted by President Donald Trump after a deadly shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.—as a publicity stunt. “You just had a good photo op. And I think that’s probably all Kristi Noem is good for, is a photo op,” Crockett said, accusing Noem of prioritizing optics over leadership. The remarks have reignited debates over the Trump administration’s priorities and Noem’s controversial tenure.
The trip followed the May 21 killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers, Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, and Yaron Lischinsky, 30, outside the Capital Jewish Museum, where the shooter reportedly shouted “free Palestine.” Noem, accompanied by Janet Huckabee, wife of U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, visited Jerusalem’s Western Wall and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Noem claimed on X that Trump sent her to express solidarity, posting, “Hate will not have the last word.” Netanyahu praised her “unequivocal support” for Israel. Yet, Crockett argued the trip lacked any meaningful policy discussions, such as security measures to prevent similar attacks. “I doubt she’s over there to deal with anything of substance,” Crockett told Witt.
Crockett’s critique taps into broader criticism of Noem, dubbed “ICE Barbie” for her camera-ready appearances in ICE gear and tactical outfits, like her El Salvador visit to the CECOT mega-prison. On X, users like
@Firni echoed Crockett, calling Noem’s Israel visit a “staged photo shoot.” Critics point to Noem’s history of controversial optics, including her 2024 book No Going Back, where she admitted to killing her dog and a goat, drawing bipartisan condemnation. A May 2025 House hearing saw Noem dodge questions about a doctored photo used to justify a deportation, further fueling perceptions of her as image-obsessed.
Supporters defend Noem’s trip as a necessary show of U.S.-Israel solidarity amid rising antisemitism.
@PamBondiNewsX posted, “Noem stood with our ally when it mattered.” The Department of Homeland Security’s role in countering antisemitism, including through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, supports their case, though funding for such initiatives has stagnated, per a 2025 Jewish Insider report. Noem’s defenders argue her visit, requested by Trump, was a diplomatic gesture, not a publicity stunt, and point to her work on South Dakota’s anti-BDS laws as evidence of her commitment.
The controversy highlights tensions in Trump’s administration. Crockett, a rising progressive star, has consistently criticized Noem and Trump, from their deportation policies to their handling of cultural issues. Her “photo op” jab reflects a broader Democratic push to frame Trump’s team as performative, especially after incidents like Noem’s camel-riding photo in Bahrain, mocked on X as “cosplaying.” With 52% of Americans in a Rasmussen poll saying the country is on the right track, Noem’s defenders argue critics like Crockett are out of touch.
As Noem navigates her role, Crockett’s call for substance over spectacle resonates with those demanding accountability. Whether Noem’s trip yields tangible outcomes or remains a fleeting image at the Western Wall, it underscores the polarized lens through which Trump’s leadership is viewed.
