Overview
- Pete Davidson returned in the Jan. 31 cold open as White House border czar Tom Homan, briefing ICE agents in Minneapolis on their mission.
- The sketch portrayed ICE personnel as confused and prone to aggression as Homan urged restraint and quipped, "maybe just try not to get filmed."
- Writers referenced Greg Bovino’s removal from the Minnesota operation and highlighted Homan’s baggage, including family separations and a disputed $50,000 cash allegation he has denied.
- Topical diversions were folded into the satire, with jokes about the release of Epstein files and a Don Lemon reference framed as distractions from the crackdown.
- The episode marked SNL’s 1,000th broadcast and a rare Trump-free cold open, with coverage noting a warmer reception for its sharper critique after last week’s backlash.