Megyn Kelly Criticizes Kristi Noem for ICE ‘Cosplay’

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is under fire — not from Democrats this time, but from a prominent conservative voice.

In an unexpected critique, right-wing political commentator Megyn Kelly called out the former South Dakota governor for what she described as “cosplaying” an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during photo-ops in the field.

“Why does she have to keep doing this?” Kelly asked during her Wednesday episode of The Megyn Kelly Show podcast. “She’s doing a great job, her actual performance as DHS secretary, in my view, anyway, has been amazing… Just stop trying to glamorize the mission and put yourself in the middle of it as you cosplay ICE agent, which you’re not.”

What started as a brief aside during a discussion on immigration policy has since spiraled into a broader debate — not only over Noem’s field appearances but over the increasingly blurred line between leadership, optics, and political theater in the age of viral governance.

The core of Kelly’s criticism lies in the optics of Secretary Noem’s frequent publicized visits to border patrol and ICE operations. In numerous photos released by the Department of Homeland Security and on Noem’s own social media, the secretary is shown wearing ICE hats, HSI tactical vests, and in some instances, armed and suited up in full law enforcement-style gear.

“She looks like I look right now,” Kelly said, referencing her casual recording outfit, “but she’s out in the field with her gun, being like, ‘We’re gonna go kick some ass.’ No one wants you there.”

For Kelly, the issue is not policy but presentation. She praised Noem’s administrative performance but drew a sharp line between actual field officers and those in leadership roles. "She is an administrative policy person appointed by Trump because she was very loyal to him. Fine, but stop with the glam."

The message? Do the work. Drop the theatrics.

Noem, never one to shy away from criticism, quickly responded during a Fox News appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime the same evening.

“Every day I wake up and there’s new criticisms,” she said. “It’s something different every single day, so I try not to pay attention to the noise.”

She defended her appearances in the field, saying her wardrobe and presence are guided by those around her. “I’m guided by the folks that I work with every day to be appropriate for the situation that I’m in and to take the same precautions they do.”

Noem emphasized the morale boost her visibility brings to field agents. “They are so proud of the fact that I’m willing to wear an ICE hat, that I’m willing to wear an HSI vest… They didn’t have that with the last leadership team.”

The Secretary’s argument is simple: this is about solidarity, not spectacle.

The debate brings into focus a larger question: What is the appropriate role of a cabinet-level official in operational settings?

In Noem’s case, her visits are highly publicized. Photographs show her standing alongside border patrol agents and ICE officers, often in active fieldwear, in border zones and immigration detention areas.

Supporters see it as engagement. Critics see it as image-crafting.

From a practical standpoint, DHS secretaries traditionally conduct site visits — but rarely in tactical gear, and certainly not with weapons visible. For some, it feels like a step too far into theatrics, especially for someone not actively part of law enforcement operations.

“It sends the wrong message,” said a retired ICE officer who asked not to be named. “It’s great to see leadership on the ground, but when the Secretary shows up looking like she’s leading a raid, it blurs professional boundaries.”

Noem is no stranger to criticism from the political left, but this week it came with a military twist.

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, blasted Noem for poor weapons handling in one of her latest photos. The image in question showed her holding a rifle while standing alongside federal agents.

“1. Close your ejection port. 2. If you have no rounds in the chamber, why do you have a magazine inserted? 3. If you have rounds, why are you flagging the guy next to you?” Gallego posted on X, formerly Twitter.

He also added, “Stop deporting people without due process.”

Gallego’s critique hit two points at once — a practical jab at what he saw as improper handling of firearms and a political one regarding immigration enforcement.

Noem’s rise to DHS Secretary was seen as a loyalty appointment by many political observers. A fierce supporter of President Trump, she stood out during his re-election campaign and was considered a favorite for several key roles in his second-term administration.

Now, as head of Homeland Security, she oversees 26 different components, including ICE, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Secret Service, and FEMA.

Trump has so far not weighed in directly on Kelly’s criticism. However, sources close to the administration suggest he sees Noem’s border appearances as a political win — a signal to his base that the government is “taking the border seriously.”

Whether it's border walls, tactical gear, or tough talk, Trump-era conservatism thrives on optics of strength. In that context, Noem’s photo-ops may be more strategic than symbolic.

Online, the reaction to the Noem-Kelly spat has been deeply polarized.

Supporters of Noem argue she’s being unfairly criticized for doing what male politicians have done for years. “How is it any different than Bush flying onto a carrier deck in 2003 or Trump walking through Lafayette Park?” one user posted.

Others see Kelly’s point: “Real leadership doesn’t need cosplay. Do the work, let your team shine,” wrote another commenter.

Some even suggest that this kind of visibility — while controversial — is necessary to highlight underfunded or overlooked aspects of border security.

“No one was talking about ICE yesterday. Now it’s in headlines again,” wrote a former DHS analyst.

There’s also a gendered subtext at play. Would the same level of scrutiny be applied to a male DHS Secretary?

Noem herself has hinted in past interviews that her boldness often draws disproportionate criticism because she’s a woman in a traditionally male space. “When men stand strong, it’s called leadership. When women do, it’s ‘photo-op politics,’” she said during her Senate confirmation hearings.

Kelly’s comments may have struck a nerve, not just politically but personally. The tension between strong public image and perceived vanity is a tightrope walked by many female politicians — one Noem is now navigating under a harsh spotlight.

Amid the controversy over clothing and optics, the core issue remains: immigration enforcement in a volatile political climate.

Under Noem’s leadership, DHS has doubled down on Trump-era policies, reinstating aggressive deportation programs, expanding border surveillance, and fast-tracking asylum case reviews.

Civil rights groups have pushed back, citing reports of deportations without full due process and overcrowded facilities.

At the same time, southern border states continue to report increased crossings, straining local resources and escalating political tensions.

Whether Noem’s approach is effective long-term or simply reactive remains to be seen.

In the ongoing clash between Megyn Kelly and Kristi Noem, the real question may not be about gear or glamour, but about how leaders choose to show up — and what message that sends.

For Noem, the field visits are about standing with her team. For Kelly, they’re an unnecessary distraction from the serious policy work she believes Noem is doing well behind the scenes.

Whether this debate signals a deeper rift within conservative circles or simply a media flashpoint will depend on how the public responds — and how Noem proceeds from here.

But one thing is clear: in the world of modern politics, presentation is power — and every choice, from a hat to a hashtag, carries weight.