'SNL' roasts Kristi Noem for being 'reassigned under the bus' after Trump booted her from DHS top job

Former Homeland Security Secretary mocked for controversial ads, alleged plastic surgery, and rumored affair with top aide

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Saturday Night Live parodied former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was recently fired from her position by President Trump. In the sketch, Noem, played by Ashley Padilla, claimed she didn't get fired but rather 'self-deported,' while taking jabs at her rumored plastic surgery and a shocking excerpt from her book about killing her dog. The skit also roasted Noem for her $220 million TV ads and her alleged romantic entanglement with top DHS aide Corey Lewandowski.

Why it matters

Kristi Noem's dismissal from the top job at the Department of Homeland Security has been a major political story, with her controversial tenure marked by missteps and scandals. The SNL parody highlights the public scrutiny and mockery Noem has faced, underscoring the political fallout from her time in the Trump administration.

The details

In the SNL sketch, Padilla's Noem opened by claiming she didn't get fired, but rather 'self-deported.' She then took aim at her rumored plastic surgery and a shocking excerpt from her book about killing her dog. The skit also roasted Noem for her $220 million TV ads and her alleged romantic entanglement with top DHS aide Corey Lewandowski. Noem, nicknamed 'ICE Barbie,' was ousted from her DHS position after a string of controversies, from claiming Trump approved her pricey TV spots to dodging questions about her rumored fling with Lewandowski.

  • On March 7, 2026, Kristi Noem was fired from her position as Homeland Security Secretary by President Trump.
  • The SNL sketch parodying Noem's dismissal aired on March 7, 2026.

The players

Kristi Noem

The former Homeland Security Secretary who was recently fired by President Trump and mocked on Saturday Night Live for her controversial tenure and scandals.

Ashley Padilla

The comedian who portrayed Kristi Noem in the SNL sketch.

Donald Trump

The former President who fired Kristi Noem from her position as Homeland Security Secretary.

Corey Lewandowski

A top aide at the Department of Homeland Security who was rumored to have had a romantic entanglement with Kristi Noem.

Markwayne Mullin

The Oklahoma GOP Senator who is set to replace Kristi Noem as the new Homeland Security Secretary.

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What they’re saying

“I just want to make it clear that I didn't get fired, I self-deported.”

— Kristi Noem (Saturday Night Live)

“And though I may be leaving this job, I will not be ending my mission. As I told my plastic surgeon, the work is never done. But I gave my all to the DHS and I have no regrets, because like they say, you miss 100% of the dogs you don't shoot.”

— Kristi Noem (Saturday Night Live)

“I'm proud of what we've accomplished … and I think I really nailed it, and by it, I mean my married co-worker in a big, beautifully, flying bedroom 30,000 feet over Minneapolis.”

— Kristi Noem (Saturday Night Live)

“Yeah, except that it is.”

— Pete Hegseth, Colin Jost's character (Saturday Night Live)

What’s next

Markwayne Mullin is set to replace Kristi Noem as the new Homeland Security Secretary.

The takeaway

Kristi Noem's dismissal from the top job at the Department of Homeland Security has been a major political story, with her controversial tenure marked by missteps and scandals. The SNL parody highlights the public scrutiny and mockery Noem has faced, underscoring the political fallout from her time in the Trump administration.