Michael Che Criticizes ICE Officers on ‘SNL’
During this week’s episode of “Saturday Night Live,” co-anchor Michael Che did not shy away from criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. His biting remarks came during the “Weekend Update” segment, where he addressed recent violent incidents involving Border Patrol officers.
Michael Che on ICE Officers
Che remarked, “I get that ICE agents are people, allegedly. And they have a job to do. But at some point while you’re pepper-spraying old ladies or shooting at a nurse, do you ever stop and ask yourself, ‘Are we d—s?’” This pointed criticism followed the tragic death of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a U.S. citizen and ICU nurse, who was shot by Border Patrol during a Minneapolis protest.
Response to JD Vance’s Comments
Che also weighed in on remarks made by Vice President JD Vance regarding anti-ICE protesters. Vance suggested that protesters should engage in writing op-eds or debating issues online, rather than confronting ICE officers directly. Che humorously contrasted this with images of MAGA protesters storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021, stating, “You know, just like these young scholars did on January 6th.”
Controversy Over Censored Segment
The previous “Weekend Update” segment faced backlash for cutting a mock piece about the ICE protests in Minneapolis. The skit featured new cast member Tommy Brennan, who garnered laughs by highlighting a clip where an ICE officer slips on ice. He emphasized, “Just to be clear, I’m not reveling in another person’s pain. If I wanted to do that, I would join ICE.” Despite its warm reception in rehearsal, the segment was not included in the live show but was later shared on social media.
Other Jokes from the Segment
In addition to his comments on ICE agents, Michael Che delivered another controversial joke concerning Ghislaine Maxwell. Referring to the House Oversight Committee’s plan to depose her in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, Che stated, “In the meantime, they’ve turned off the cameras to give her privacy to play with her new chair and long rope.” His dark humor drew mixed reactions, prompting co-anchor Colin Jost to humorously remind the audience, “Yeah, take her side!”
As “Saturday Night Live” continues to explore societal issues through satire, Michael Che’s remarks shed light on the ongoing discussion surrounding immigration policies and the actions of government agencies.
