Meghan McCain slams Kristi Noem over photo-op where she pointed a gun at ICE agent's head

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Meghan McCain criticized Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following a series of controversial photo ops with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

During an episode of 'Meghan McCain's Happy Hour', the former 'The View' host didn’t hold back as she weighed in on what she called a misguided display of glamor and poor gun safety.

Meghan McCain blasts Kristi Noem over her mishandling of a firearm

"I don't think that it is productive to have a full face of hair and makeup and hair extensions, and I used to wear 60 pounds of hair extensions, when you're doing things like that," Meghan McCain told her viewers.

At the center of the controversy is a video posted on April 8, where Noem is seen flanked by two ICE agents during an Arizona operation targeting illegal immigrants involved in criminal activity.

Though Noem proudly touted her involvement, viewers quickly spotted a glaring issue: her mishandling of a firearm. 

"I'm from Arizona and I've been shooting guns since I was a child... she literally could've blown that man's head off, anybody with even a cursory knowledge of gun safety knows that," McCain said, referencing how Noem pointed the barrel toward the head of the agent on her left.

Her remarks followed Megyn Kelly’s recent dig on her podcast, where she labeled Noem "an embarrassment" for trying to "glamorize the mission" and for "cosplaying an ICE agent."

Now, with the nickname "ICE Barbie" circulating online, Noem’s critics are sharpening their attacks from within her own political base, as per Ok Magazine. 

Critics also flagged her improperly worn bulletproof vest and finger placement, questioning whether her video was more about aesthetics than enforcement.

Meghan McCain urges Kristi Noem to focus on governing

Meghan McCain acknowledged the tricky balance in critiquing another woman’s appearance, but didn’t shy away from suggesting a more grounded approach.

"I don't want to comment on a woman's looks, but if I were giving her some advice, I would be like, 'How about pulling our hair back in a baseball cap and not doing a photo-op?'" she said. 

The daughter of late Senator John McCain went on to say that Noem’s performative moments are distracting from her actual duties.

"Instead, Noem should be doing her job and not turning it into a social media spectacle," she stressed.

McCain warned that these types of stunts might ultimately harm the former South Dakota governor’s political future. "The posts are hurting Noem's reputation and anything that hurts her hurts Donald Trump... I like her. I don't want her to become a parody of herself," she said. 

Department of Homeland Security backs Kristi Noem 

Despite the blowback, the Department of Homeland Security has stood firmly behind Kristi Noem.

In a statement, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin praised her dedication and brushed off the social media firestorm, as per the Daily Mail. 

"Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, the border is at its most secure in American history," McLaughlin said.

"The American people can be proud to have a Secretary of Homeland Security who shows up to support our brave law enforcement and get them the tools they need to do their jobs successfully and safely. We are far more concerned with the safety and security of the American people than about online yapping," McLaughlin added in her statement.