SNL Faces Viewer Criticism Over Delayed Release of ICE Mockery Segment
Saturday Night Live has found itself at the centre of controversy after choosing to release a politically charged sketch mocking Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents exclusively online, rather than airing it during its live broadcast. The segment, which was cut from the January 17 show due to time constraints, was uploaded to YouTube on Tuesday, prompting a wave of criticism from viewers who labelled the decision a 'cowardly move'.
The Content of the Cut Segment
In the clip, cast member Tommy Brennan, a Minnesota native, joined the 'Weekend Update' desk to address the growing unrest in his home state. This follows the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, by an ICE officer earlier this month amid heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
'Look, I know that no one is dying for a hot take on this from a guy who looks like he was home-schooled on a yacht,' Brennan joked, before adding, 'But, it would be insane to ignore what's happening in my hometown right now.'
The sketch then featured a viral video clip, played repeatedly, showing an ICE agent slipping and falling on ice while patrolling in Minnesota. Brennan provided commentary, noting, 'And then, he gets up and just jogs back to his car. Just completely gives up on his mission.' He humorously suggested the fall might have been intentional, before clarifying, 'Also, just to be clear, I'm not reveling in another person's pain. If I wanted to do that, I would join ICE.'
A Shift to Serious Commentary
Brennan then adopted a more earnest tone, expressing pride in Minnesota's immigrant communities. 'Minneapolis is a city of immigrants, and that's what makes it great,' he stated. He referenced his childhood experiences playing on all-immigrant soccer teams, quipping, 'let me tell you, it is not easy to catch those guys.'
He concluded the segment with a defiant message: 'We're not like them. We won't jog back to the car and we won't slip up 'cause in Minnesota we've been dealing with ICE our whole lives. Leave Minnesota alone!' The bit was met with applause from the studio audience but was ultimately omitted from the 90-minute televised broadcast.
Viewer Reaction and Broader Context
The online release of the sketch on SNL's social media channels has garnered significant attention, with nearly 200,000 likes on Instagram and over 307,000 views on YouTube. However, the delayed publication has sparked disappointment among fans. One Instagram user commented, 'Feels like a cowardly move to cut this one tbh,' while another demanded, 'bring this back for this weeks update. Can't believe this was dropped.'
This incident occurs against a backdrop of intense anti-ICE protests across Minnesota. The unrest escalated following the launch of 'Operation Metro Surge' by the Department of Homeland Security last month, which has resulted in approximately 3,000 arrests. The situation intensified further after the killing of Renee Nicole Good on January 7.
In response, state and local officials have taken action. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey delivered a blunt message to ICE, while Minnesota officials have sued the Trump administration, alleging constitutional violations. Although the White House has vowed to double enforcement efforts, a federal judge recently moved to limit the use of force against peaceful protesters.
SNL regularly uploads 'cut for time' sketches to YouTube, but the politically sensitive nature of this segment, combined with the timing of its release, has made it a focal point for criticism regarding the show's editorial choices during a period of national tension over immigration policy.
