Homeland Security took a jab at NBC’s Saturday Night Live after the show poked fun at Secretary Kristi Noem during its cold open. Noem responded by sharing a clip of the skit, expressing her gratitude for the “free advertising.”
“Thank you for the free advertising. [Saturday Night Live]. Let’s get rid of the criminals. Let’s make history. Save America,” the Department of Homeland Security tweeted after sharing the skit footage, adding its own recruitment ad.
In the SNL clip, Tina Fey impersonating Noem mentions, “Government workers work for free. Thankfully, the ICE agents are doing it for the love of the job. And how do they find their recruits? By running ads like this.”
Following that, Homeland Security showcased a video montage of federal agents breaking down doors and apprehending suspects, set to the song “Count Your Blessings” by the duo $uicideboy$.
The department’s video carried the message: “We are recruiting. Defend the Motherland,” and included a link to join.ICE.gov.
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In the original SNL skit, Fey’s Noem talks directly to the audience, pitching her job ad by asking, “Do you need a job? Are you tough enough for military or police work?”
Amy Poehler, portraying U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, chimes in with a simple “No.”
Fey’s Noem continues, “Are you using gas station supplements? Wanting to use zip ties because nobody trusts you with the keys? Buckle up and put on your Oakleys—welcome to ICE.”
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Interestingly, the Trump administration has shifted how government positions operate on social media, using more engaging content, jokes, and memes, leading to reactions on the left.
“Emotional libraries as a communication tactic have proven to be more politically, culturally, and economically effective than avoiding them,” noted Whitney Phillips, an associate professor at the University of Oregon. she stated in the New York Times.
Phillips has discussed this tactic in depth, citing how Trump has “crafted his brand around those dynamics.”
White House press secretary Abigail Jackson commented that the effectiveness of their social media approach “speaks for itself.” According to her, “Through engaging posts and striking memes, we communicate the president’s widely accepted agenda,” adding, “Many try to replicate our style because it resonates.”
