"Holy Sh*t": The Internet Is Obsessed With This US Rep’s Viral Fact-Check Of Kristi Noem During House Hearing

Ahhh, there’s nothing quite like a "gotcha" moment catching a liar in the act. It doesn’t happen too often, but when it does... phhewww baby.

Person smiling and crying, covering mouth with a hand, showing deep emotion in a joyful moment

That’s exactly what happened this past Thursday when US Rep. Seth Magaziner, a Democrat from Rhode Island, questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns and deportations.

![A person with long dark hair testifying at a hearing, looking focused and serious, in a formal setting](https://s.yim…

Ahhh, there’s nothing quite like a "gotcha" moment catching a liar in the act. It doesn’t happen too often, but when it does... phhewww baby.

Person smiling and crying, covering mouth with a hand, showing deep emotion in a joyful moment

That’s exactly what happened this past Thursday when US Rep. Seth Magaziner, a Democrat from Rhode Island, questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns and deportations.

A person with long dark hair testifying at a hearing, looking focused and serious, in a formal setting

Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

"Madam Secretary, how many United States military veterans have you deported?" he asked.

A person, labeled Mr. Magaziner, is speaking at a formal hearing with a microphone, flanked by others, in a setting with C-SPAN branding

"Uh, sir, we have not deported US citizens or military veterans," she replied.

A woman, identified as Hon. Kristi Noem, testifies at a C-SPAN-covered hearing. She is wearing a formal dark outfit, seated at a table with a microphone

Magaziner then set out to prove to her, that actually, that was not the case.

"I don’t believe you’ve served in the military. I haven’t either. But I think you and I can agree that as Americans, we owe everything to those who have served our country in uniform, particularly those who have served in combat. Do you agree with that?" he asked.

A man sits at a congressional hearing table, wearing a suit and striped tie. There's a C-SPAN logo in the bottom right corner

"Sir, I believe that people that are in this United States that are citizens have legal status here—" she began to reply.

A woman speaks at a government hearing, seated behind a nameplate reading "Hon. Kristi Noem," with attentive attendees in the background. C-SPAN logo visible

"Madam Secretary, we are joined on Zoom by a gentleman named Sae Joon Park," he interjected, as a man brought an iPad with Park on Zoom next to the representative.

A congressional hearing with officials; one holds a tablet showing a person on a video call

He then introduced Park: "He is a United States Army combat veteran who was shot twice while serving our country in Panama in 1989. Like many veterans, he struggled with PTSD and substance abuse after his service. He was arrested in the 1990s for some minor drug offenses. Nothing serious. He never hurt anyone besides himself. And he’s been clean and sober for 14 years. He is a combat veteran, a Purple Heart recipient. He has sacrificed more for this country than most people ever have."

A person is speaking at a hearing while another holds a tablet displaying a virtual participant. C-SPAN logo visible

He continued, "Earlier this year, you deported him to Korea, a country he hasn’t lived in since he was 7 years old. Will you join me in thanking Mr. Park for his service to our country?"

A man in a suit speaking at a formal hearing, with a tablet showing another person on a video call being held by someone next to him. C-SPAN logo visible

Noem then gave a somewhat non-answer that she was "grateful for every single person that has served our country and follows our laws."

Hon. Kristi Noem speaks at a congressional hearing, seated at a table with a nameplate. Several people sit behind her. C-SPAN logo is visible

Magaziner interrupted to ask, "And can you please tell Mr. Park why you deported him?" He continued, "This man took two bullets for our country. Will you — you have broad authority, by the way, as secretary, to issue humanitarian parole, to do deferred action — will you commit to at least looking at Mr. Park’s case to see if you can help him find a pathway back to this country that he sacrificed so much for?"

A man in a suit speaks at a congressional hearing, with a person on screen held next to him. C-SPAN logo visible

"I will absolutely look at his case, but I want you to remember that—" Noem began replying, until Magaziner said, "Thank you," and moved on to discussing more examples of veteran families affected by deportations.

You can watch the full clip here.

MAGAZINER: How many veterans have you deported?NOEM: We haven’t deported veteransMAGAZINER: We are now joined on Zoom by a combat veteran you deported to Korea pic.twitter.com/oz8Epvf4I4

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 11, 2025

C-SPAN / Via Twitter: @atrupar

Online, people are applauding Magaziner’s approach:

"Absolutely devastating moment for @Sec_Noem here. Thank you @SethMagaziner for an important moment."

Tweet from Mehdi Hasan: "Absolutely devastating moment for @Sec_Noem here. Thank you @SethMagaziner for an important moment."

"Now that’s a rugpull."

Screenshot of a social media post by Travis Yost saying, "Now that's a rugpull."

"Shove the cruelty into their faces. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s politically advantageous."

Tweet by David Corn reads: "Shove the cruelty into their faces. It's the right thing to do, and it's politically advantageous."

And some were simply just stunned:

"Holy shit."

Social media post shows a user commenting on a CNN broadcast discussing U.S. military veterans and deportations

"Wow. What a moment."

Tweet showing a CNN report: U.S. military official confirms no deportation of U.S. citizens or veterans, discussing veteran involvement in a past event

And lastly, "truly one of the most astonishing scenes i’ve ever watched play out in Congress."

C-SPAN / Via Twitter: @PeterTwinklage

Thoughts, questions, concerns, prayers for Mrs. Noem?

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Read it on BuzzFeed.com

Ahhh, there’s nothing quite like a "gotcha" moment catching a liar in the act. It doesn’t happen too often, but when it does... phhewww baby.

That’s exactly what happened this past Thursday when US Rep. Seth Magaziner, a Democrat from Rhode Island, questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns and deportations.

Ahhh, there’s nothing quite like a "gotcha" moment catching a liar in the act. It doesn’t happen too often, but when it does... phhewww baby.

That’s exactly what happened this past Thursday when US Rep. Seth Magaziner, a Democrat from Rhode Island, questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns and deportations.

"Madam Secretary, how many United States military veterans have you deported?" he asked.

"Uh, sir, we have not deported US citizens or military veterans," she replied.

Magaziner then set out to prove to her, that actually, that was not the case.

"I don’t believe you’ve served in the military. I haven’t either. But I think you and I can agree that as Americans, we owe everything to those who have served our country in uniform, particularly those who have served in combat. Do you agree with that?" he asked.

"Sir, I believe that people that are in this United States that are citizens have legal status here—" she began to reply.

"Madam Secretary, we are joined on Zoom by a gentleman named Sae Joon Park," he interjected, as a man brought an iPad with Park on Zoom next to the representative.

He continued, "Earlier this year, you deported him to Korea, a country he hasn’t lived in since he was 7 years old. Will you join me in thanking Mr. Park for his service to our country?"

Noem then gave a somewhat non-answer that she was "grateful for every single person that has served our country and follows our laws."

"I will absolutely look at his case, but I want you to remember that—" Noem began replying, until Magaziner said, "Thank you," and moved on to discussing more examples of veteran families affected by deportations.

You can watch the full clip here.

Online, people are applauding Magaziner’s approach:

"Absolutely devastating moment for @Sec_Noem here. Thank you @SethMagaziner for an important moment."

"Now that’s a rugpull."

"Shove the cruelty into their faces. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s politically advantageous."

And some were simply just stunned:

"Holy shit."

"Wow. What a moment."

And lastly, "truly one of the most astonishing scenes i’ve ever watched play out in Congress."

Thoughts, questions, concerns, prayers for Mrs. Noem?

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