Saturday Night Live found itself under fire from viewers who criticized the show’s comedians for what they deemed ‘insensitive’ sketches involving ICE and former President Trump.
During the show’s Weekend Update segment, co-anchor Michael Che addressed the rising tensions between civilians and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in light of two recent fatalities in Minnesota.
Che opened with a provocative remark, saying, “I understand that ICE agents are people…allegedly…and they have a job to do.”
He continued, “But when you’re out there pepper-spraying elderly women or shooting a nurse, do you ever pause and consider, ‘Are we being jerks?’”
While the studio audience responded with laughter, many fans with progressive views took to social media, criticizing the show for its ‘mild’ approach and failing to capture the gravity of the situation.
One Twitter user expressed their disappointment, stating, “Telling them not to be jerks really misses the mark. ICE’s actions resemble Gestapo-like oppression, and a half-hearted joke just doesn’t cut it,” as shared in a post on X.
Another claimed that the skit ‘didn’t go far enough’, and said: ‘That nurse was murdered in the streets and they are kidnapping children. And that’s the best of it. Yeah. Read that sentence again. The worst is happening elsewhere.’
‘Not a strong enough admonishment. They aren’t “d***s”. They are murderers,’ a third comment read.
During the show’s Weekend Update, co-host Michael Che joked on recent tensions between civilians and Immigration and Customs Enforcement federal agents
SNL’s ‘tone deaf’ comments on immigration federal agents comes as a second person, Alex Pretti, was killed in the streets of Minnesota
‘This is cute but no longer cuts it. These people need to do more than make jokes.’
‘SNL normalizing ICE’s brutality? Cute. But when do we get the skit on how “satire” excuses real blood on the streets? Wake up, America—laughing won’t stop the deportations.’
‘SNL needs to ask why are “ old ladies and nurses” defending illegal aliens who are gang members and child rapists from being deported?’
‘Way too light and lacking any punch. And not funny.’
The comments on ICE federal agents come after the killing of a Minnesota nurse Alex Pretti, 37, who was fatally shot by Border Patrol agents in the street.
Disturbing footage showed the moment Pretti was shot repeatedly, as the Department of Homeland Security claimed Pretti ‘brandished’ a weapon and posed a threat to officers.
A newly released clip of the incident begins after Pretti was already pepper-sprayed and forced to his knees.
Multiple DHS agents were seen surrounding him, struggling to restrain his arms and legs as he is pushed face-down onto the pavement.
Pretti, 37, was an intensive care unit nurse and had worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs. He worked as a research scientist before returning to school to become a nurse
Video showed Pretti already pepper sprayed and on his knees when the clip begins
As four agents were engaged in the struggle, one officer, wearing a gray jacket and a pink rimmed baseball cap, appeared to reach into the back waistband of Pretti’s pants and pull out a handgun.
The officer then moves away from the group, holding the weapon.
It is just as that officer is running back across the street it’s believed Pretti’s own gun may have accidentally misfired while in the officer’s hands.
In the heat at the moment, the remaining DHS agents that surrounded the ICU nurse may have believed the gunfire to have come from Pretti himself.
Within an instant, another agent draws his firearm and fires directly into Pretti’s back, who then collapses onto the street.
Agents are then seen backing away into the road as additional shots ring out.
In total, roughly ten shots appear to have been fired, even as Pretti lay motionless.
Federal officials have not explained why lethal force was used after Pretti appeared restrained and disarmed.
Pretti could be seen on the street filming with his phone while a small group confronted a federal agent. His other hand appeared to be empty
