Fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Turns In Her Gear on 'SNL'

In a 'SNL' cold open, the former Trump administration official says she has no regrets despite controversies during her tenure.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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On Saturday Night Live, fired Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (played by Ashley Padilla) bid farewell to her role, turning in her badge, gun, lips, lashes, teeth, and forehead. Noem claimed she wasn't fired, but rather "self-deported," and said she has no regrets about her tenure, despite controversies such as federal agents killing two Americans during an immigration crackdown that she falsely labeled as domestic terrorists.

Why it matters

Noem's departure from the Trump administration comes amid ongoing scrutiny over the former president's policies and the actions of his appointees, particularly related to immigration enforcement. The SNL sketch satirizes Noem's brash persona and her willingness to defend controversial decisions, highlighting the political theater surrounding high-profile exits from the administration.

The details

In the SNL cold open, Noem was introduced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (played by Colin Jost), who said she had been "reassigned—under the bus." Noem claimed she didn't get fired, but rather "self-deported." She said she has no regrets about her tenure, including the incident where federal agents killed two Americans during an immigration crackdown that she falsely labeled as domestic terrorists. Noem also joked about an alleged affair with a married coworker, before turning in her various accoutrements of office, including her badge, gun, lips, lashes, teeth, and forehead.

  • On Saturday, March 8, 2026, Kristi Noem appeared in a cold open sketch on Saturday Night Live.
  • Noem was fired from her role as Department of Homeland Security Secretary on Thursday, March 6, 2026.

The players

Kristi Noem

The former Department of Homeland Security Secretary under the Trump administration, known for her brash persona and controversial decisions.

Pete Hegseth

The fictional Defense Secretary who introduced Noem in the SNL sketch.

Donald Trump

The former president who fired Noem from her role as DHS 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, Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary (SNL)

“And though I may be leaving this job, I won't be ending my mission. As I've told my plastic surgeon, 'The work is never done.'”

— Kristi Noem, Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary (SNL)

“Like they say: you miss 100 percent of the dogs you don't shoot.”

— Kristi Noem, Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary (SNL)

What’s next

Noem is set to take on a new role as Special Envoy to the Shield of the Americas, with an office in a WeWork space outside Denver.

The takeaway

Noem's departure from the Trump administration highlights the ongoing political drama and scrutiny surrounding the former president's policies and appointees, particularly related to controversial immigration enforcement actions. The SNL sketch satirizes Noem's brash persona and her willingness to defend her decisions, underscoring the theatrics that often accompany high-profile exits from the administration.