Jimmy Kimmel
FB/ Jimmy Kimmel

As former DHS chief Kristi Noem exits under pressure, late‑night hosts took aim in their monologues, racking up laughs with harsh jabs and shocking remarks.

When news broke that President Donald Trump had fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, late‑night television quickly turned the political drama into comedy fodder.

Noem, a polarising figure whose tenure at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was marked by fierce battles over immigration enforcement and costly public messaging campaigns, was removed from her post after intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill.

Instead of a calm transition, hosts from major American talk shows seized on the moment with sharp punchlines and outrageous suggestions about her fate.

Jimmy Kimmel Pokes Fun at Noem's Exit

On Jimmy Kimmel Live, host Jimmy Kimmel greeted the news with gleeful disbelief.

Opening his monologue with the announcement of Noem's firing, Kimmel didn't hold back, even proposing an exaggerated punishment that drew laughs: 'You know what the funniest thing would be? The funniest thing would be if they deport her to El Salvador.'

Before she was fired, Kimmel made fun of a £175 million ($220 million) DHS ad campaign that Noem supported. He said it was over-the-top and compared it to silly, old commercials like 'Where's the Beef?'

He also joked that her new government role was 'completely made up,' implying it wasn't very serious and was more about her public image than real work.

The tone across networks was similarly mocking.

On The Late Show, Stephen Colbert delighted in the news, joking that Noem deserved to be sent to the notorious US military prison at Guantánamo Bay, while simultaneously acknowledging the absurdity of the situation.

Colbert also criticised her strict immigration comments, jokingly calling her a 'domestic terrorist,' pointing out how her words about ICE protests had caused a stir.

The Controversies That Led to Noem's Departure

Kristi Noem was officially removed from her role as Homeland Security Secretary on 5 March, after President Trump announced on social media that Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma would take over on 31 March. Trump praised her work on border security but came under pressure following several controversies, including tense congressional hearings and internal disputes at DHS.

Even after leaving DHS, Noem has been given a new job as Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas, a Western Hemisphere security initiative. The role appears designed to move her out of the spotlight while keeping her in the administration.

However, the new administrative role does not erase Noem's history of mismanaging federal agencies, particularly FEMA, where lawmakers alleged that disaster relief funds were being restricted or poorly communicated.

Her approach to immigration enforcement was another point of contention, with aggressive policies and statements drawing criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans.

Congressional hearings revealed tensions with staff and lawmakers, and some of her testimony reportedly frustrated President Trump, who later denied authorising parts of the DHS initiatives she referenced.

Beyond policy issues, Noem's leadership style attracted attention. Reports noted internal disputes within DHS, strained relationships with career officials, and public gaffes that made her a target for political satire.

These controversies collectively created a challenging environment that contributed to her reassignment from DHS to the newly created diplomatic role.

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma will take over as Secretary of Homeland Security, effective 31 March 2026.

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