Saturday Night Live used its milestone 1,000th episode to launch a sharp satirical critique aimed at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and top officials from the Trump administration.
The show began with an unexpected appearance by former cast member Pete Davidson, who took on the role of White House Border Czar Tom Homan. The sketch was set in Minneapolis, reflecting ongoing real-world protests and investigations following recent ICE operations.
Within the skit, Davidson’s portrayal of Homan arrives to address ICE unit commanders amid the “chaotic situation” in Minnesota. However, he finds himself facing a team of agents depicted as uninformed, overly aggressive, and alarmingly unaware of their mission objectives.
The segment quickly drew criticism from viewers who were displeased with SNL’s increasingly political slant. One viewer expressed their discontent, questioning, “I thought this was a comedy show.”
Davidson kicked off the cold open with, “My name is Tom Homan,” humorously addressing the dismissal of his predecessor. “Now I’m sure many of you are wondering why Greg Bovino, the last guy, was dismissed. Let me clarify—it wasn’t because he did a bad job, publicly lied about the shooting of an American citizen, or even dressed like a Nazi. It was because he was caught on film doing these things.”
Attempting to steer the parody ICE agents back on track, Davidson’s character asked, “Now, who can tell me why we’re here in Minneapolis?”
One agent replied flatly: ‘Pass.’ Another said: ‘This could be wrong, but Army?’
Pete Davidson made a surprise return to SNL, using the milestone episode to portray Border Czar Tom Homan in a sketch that mocked ICE leadership and federal enforcement tactics
Border czar Tom Homan speaks during a news conference about ongoing immigration enforcement operations on Thursday in Minneapolis. President Trump announced Homan would takeover the lead of ICE operations in Minnesota
ICE agents played by James Austin Johnson, Ben Marshall, Kenan Thompson all featured in a sketch
Davidson then responded: ‘That’s close. We’re here to detain and deport illegal immigrants who have committed crimes.’
‘That is literally the first I’m hearing of that,’ one said back.
The sketch escalated as Davidson’s Homan tried to walk his fictional agents through basic rules of law enforcement.
‘Forget everything you were told before. We’re not here to intimidate, racially profile or violate anyone’s rights. So again, what are we looking for?’ he asked.
‘Epstein files,’ an agent replied.
‘Nope, we actually just released those to distract from this, you know, which is ironic because we did this to distract from those,’ Davidson said.
The line referenced the real-world Justice Department release on Friday of three million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The sketch continued with Davidson’s Homan saying: ‘Let’s talk about use of force.
‘What do we want to use force right away?… It’s kind of a trick question, because we actually don’t want to use force. Remember, the job ultimately is about keeping America safe. From what?’
The sketch referenced the real-life departure of Greg Bovino, joking he wasn’t dismissed for ‘lying about the shooting of a US citizen’ but because ‘he was filmed doing these things’
Kristi Noem was ridiculed during Weekend Update with Michel Che mocking her comments on the Alex Pretti shooting and joking that she would ‘open fire, even if you’re a good boy.’
‘This could be wrong, but Don Lemon?’ a recruit answered.
The joke alluded to the real arrest of Don Lemon on Thursday following his reporting on immigration enforcement operations.
Lemon later said his ‘constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done.’
Later in the sketch, James Austin Johnson’s agent delivered the most pointed line of the night.
‘You hired a bunch of angry, aggressive guys, gave us guns and didn’t train us, so this is maybe what you wanted to happen?’
The sketch ended with Davidson attempting a motivational appeal.
‘Can we do our jobs without violating anyone’s rights as Americans?’ he asks.
Kenan Thompson’s agent replies simply: ‘No.’
‘Well, I had to ask,’ Davidson says. ‘Maybe just try not to get filmed?’
Online reaction to the sketch was swift and deeply divided.
‘Thought this was a comedy show….. Not funny,’ one viewer wrote on X.
‘This is not funny,’ agreed another.
A third criticized Davidson’s portrayal specifically, writing: ‘Pete Davidson is the worst SNL Tom Homan you could possibly imagine.’
The sketch was set against the backdrop of real-world anger over the killing of Alex Pretti during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. Pictured, a makeshift memorial for 37-year-old Pretti
On Saturday, cyclists gathered for a group ride to honor Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saturday night’s cold open aired as anti-ICE demonstrations continue across the country following the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good during immigration operations in Minneapolis, incidents that have triggered multiple investigations and political backlash.
The show doubled down during ‘Weekend Update,’ where anchor Colin Jost mocked Trump’s decision to deploy Homan to calm the situation.
‘This feels like trying to quit cocaine by taking up crack,’ Jost said.
Jost then turned his fire on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, referencing controversy surrounding her comments on the Pretti shooting.
‘Homeland security’s initial review of the Alex Pretti shooting does not say that he attacked officers, which contradicts Kristi Noem’s claims,’ Jost said. ‘But none of that really matters to Kristi Noem. She’ll open fire, even if you’re a good boy.’
The remark alluded to Noem’s own 2024 memoir, in which she revealed she shot her dog after it misbehaved – a story that sparked national outrage when it was published.
