'Late Show' host Stephen Colbert faces backlash for 'obscene' attack on ICE agents

Fox News ^ | January 29, 2026 2:30pm EST | Hanna Panreck

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Colbert suggested ICE was worse than Nazis because at least they were 'willing to show their faces'

Late-night host Stephen Colbert is facing backlash over a remark he made about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, suggesting they were worse than Nazis because Nazis were willing to show their faces.

Colbert made the comment during his show Monday and played a clip of Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino saying during a CNN interview that people were "trying to portray Border Patrol agents and ICE agents as Gestapo, Nazi and many other words."

Colbert then said, "Yes, do not compare ICE or Border Patrol agents to the Nazis. That's an unfair comparison. The Nazis were willing to show their faces."

The remark was met with roaring applause from Colbert's audience. Critics called out the comment on X in the days that followed.

"What happened in Minnesota is horrible. But comparing ICE to NAZIS is a vile ridiculous cheap joke," actor Michael Rapaport wrote on X. "What’s more offensive, Colbert? Or the crowd laughing?"

Sohrab Ahmari called it "obscene," "ahistorical" and "illiterate."

[ChildOfThe60s]

I wonder how many illegal aliens live on his block

[ChildOfThe60s]

I think if Karma gives him what he has earned that is not unkind but simply equitable

[Rummyfan]

"What happened in Minnesota is horrible. But comparing ICE to NAZIS is a vile ridiculous cheap joke," actor Michael Rapaport wrote on X. "What’s more offensive, Colbert? Or the crowd laughing?

Its a toss up.

[Rummyfan]

Rappaport has become quite conservative. The overt rampant anti-Semitism of the left has driven him to it.

[Rummyfan]

It can’t happen soon enough.

[Rummyfan]

LOL. I see what you did there. And I agree.

[TalBlack]

What on earth does Colbert think would happen if anyone gave a brown shirt or other NAZI operator even the slightest static? Germans were subjects of the Reich.

[JennysCool]

Only a bunch of dried up angry lib hags

The media hides the fact that the American Left is basically a bunch of old hippies and their indoctrinated kids and grandkids who are given credibility only by the long-ago paid-for media.

[Ignatz]

“Backlash”, eh? A “backhand” would be more appropriate.

[GranTorino]

His audience is as bad as him.