The return of “Saturday Night Live” from its holiday break brought sharp satire aimed at key figures in Donald Trump’s Cabinet. The show’s cold open featured numerous political figures, including Kristi Noem, Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, and JD Vance. This episode marked the debut of cast member Ashley Padilla, who portrayed the head of the Department of Homeland Security.
Key Satirical Moments from the Sketch
In her sketch, Padilla’s Noem praised the performance of ICE in Minneapolis as “perfect.” She humorously acknowledged her “hair and makeup team” for their hard work, stating that they “absolutely hate me.” Noem went on to describe the traits sought in potential ICE recruits, asking rhetorically:
- Is your neck wider than your head?
- Are you wearing a Punisher T-shirt?
- Have you ever punched a hole in the wall due to your son taking dance lessons?
She concluded with an outrageous invitation: “If the answer is yes, then grab a gun, any gun, and saddle up, big boy.”
Vance and Hegseth Join the Satire
JD Vance, played by newcomer Jeremy Culhane, contributed to the tough-talk atmosphere of the Cabinet. He humorously warned that he was “here to kick bubblegum and chew ass.”
Colin Jost reprised his role as Pete Hegseth during the Weekend Update segment. He lampooned Hegseth’s viral kettlebell workout with exaggerated movements, prompting James Austin Johnson, portraying Trump, to quip, “even I know you’re doing that wrong.”
Political Commentary on U.S. Actions
Following the workout sequence, Hegseth lauded the United States’ military actions in Venezuela and expressed enthusiasm for potential confrontations with Iran. He remarked, “We’ve been rocking out with our c’s out all over the world.” Hegseth provocatively stated:
- “We dunked on Venezuela.”
- “Next, we’re gonna sack-tap Iran.”
- “I’m going to put the Ayatollah in the cuck chair.”
He ended with a sardonic warning regarding protesters, saying, “if I-ah-tol you once, I-ah-tol-ah you a thousand times: You don’t dare kill your protesters! That’s our thing!”
The episode showcased the show’s signature political satire, providing a humorous take on the actions and statements of Trump’s administration.
