Christine Flowers: That prison video in El Salvador was a bit much

This might appear to be a frivolous observation, given other issues that have hit the headlines over the past few days, but I have a big problem with the Secretary of Homeland Security’s wardrobe.

Normally, I don’t pay all that much attention the sartorial style of women in the public eye, especially since I developed my fashion sense in the mid-1970s when polyester, paisley and smocking were respectable.

However, when it comes to the women who head agencies that I deal with on a regular basis, I demand a bit of decorum. They don’t have to look like Amish maidens right before they get unleashed for ruminspringa, but cleavage, Botox and hair extensions really don’t scream “I am a competent public servant.”

Which brings me to my problem with Kristi Noem.

I admit that I was predisposed to strongly dislike the former governor of South Dakota when I found out that she had murdered her puppy.

You might think that “murder” is perhaps too strong a phrase, and you might tell me that since I never grew up on a farm or a ranch, I don’t understand how some communities treat animals.

Unlike the women from New York’s Upper East Side or closer to home in Rittenhouse Square, there are actually people who do not dress their little fur babies in tiny hats and bows, and put little booties on their paws to keep them from touching the dirty sidewalk.

Some people, including women, look at a little lambkin prancing in the field and say, “ooh dinner, let me get a good shot.”

I am fully aware that there are several Americas, and that in some of them, hunting is a sacrament. I am quite happy not to live in any of those communities, because I am incapable of even squashing a spider without feeling as if I need to confess.

“Bless me father for I have sinned, I just killed Charlotte.”

But I respect the fact that not everyone is like me.

However, if we move beyond the puppycide, there is a lot more to dislike about Kristi than her lack of humanity. It is, perhaps, her actual lack of humanity.

I say that after having viewed a video that was made, clearly for PR purposes, with Secretary Noem standing in front of a notorious jail in El Salvador that houses hardened gang members.

It is also the new home to a bunch of people that President Donald Trump just managed to deport, with the cooperation of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.

I am not a fan of gang members. I hate tattoos, I hate evil men who prey on innocents, I hate the drug trafficking and the human trafficking and the horrific things that most gang members do to their women.

I often handle the asylum cases of men and women who are the victims of gangs, so to see them rot in jail is actually quite a lovely site.

However, when there is a suggestion that not everyone in that jail is a gang member, and some of them were not afforded due process of law, I am not as gleeful at the sight of the new Secretary of Homeland Security pretending to be all tough in front of the iron bars and saying things like “this is what happens when you break our laws” or variations thereof.

That sort of photo op is really off-putting, for a variety of reasons.

One, we don’t know that everyone in that jail should be in that jail.

Two, we don’t need the optics of an American official standing in front of men who have been clearly rounded up for the PR to tell us that she’s doing something to keep us safe.

Maybe, Kristi, just do your actual job in a sober and respectful way, and leave the TikTok clips for the kids.

And speaking of respect, try clothes that are your actual size, and not several sizes too small that accentuate things other than your resume.

Try not to look like Rapunzel with your hair extensions.

There is a limit beyond which Botox approaches the Joker level.

Be better, be respectful of the office. Don’t turn the DHS into a reality show.

I know that this will anger a lot of supporters of Trump and his cabinet choices. I am opening myself up to attacks on my own physical appearance as well, although I’ve been dealing with that ever since I entered the semi-public eye.

My mom used to tell me after she’d see me on TV to “get your hair out of your face” and ignored all of my pithy political observations.

It’s okay, I’m a big girl. I’m guessing Kristi is, too.

And it’s my hope that she starts realizing she’s got an actual job to do, one that is impacting millions of lives both “legal” and “illegal” and to maybe buy a nice double-breasted suit and some sensible shoes to do it in.

Christine Flowers is an attorney and lifelong Philadelphian. @flowerlady61

This piece was originally published in the Delco Daily Times.