U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters, on the day of classified briefings for the full U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on the situation in Iran, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 3, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio said he looks forward to working with Kristi Noem following news that she will take on a new role connected to the upcoming “Shield of the Americas” security initiative.
Rubio shared a message welcoming Noem to the effort, signaling support for the initiative and expressing optimism about collaborating with her as the program moves forward.
“I look forward to working with Kristi Noem for the Shield of the Americas,” Rubio said.
Noem, who previously served as Secretary of Homeland Security under Donald Trump, is expected to transition into a new position as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a security initiative focused on strengthening cooperation across the Western Hemisphere. The program is expected to be formally announced during an event in Doral, Florida.
Details about the initiative remain limited, but early indications suggest it will center on regional security coordination, border enforcement cooperation, and broader partnerships among countries throughout North, Central, and South America.
Rubio’s remarks signal early support among Republican leaders as the administration prepares to roll out the initiative.
The development comes after widespread speculation about Noem’s status in the administration, with some early reports incorrectly suggesting she had been removed from her previous post. Instead, officials say the move represents a shift into a new diplomatic and security-focused role tied to the upcoming program.
Further details about the “Shield of the Americas” initiative are expected when it is formally unveiled later this week.
