A federal employee impacted by DOGE went from Yosemite’s El Capitan to Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s El Capitan Wednesday night.
At the end of his monologue, Kimmel introduced Nate Vince, a locksmith at Yosemite National Park who is among the tens of thousands of federal workers who’ve been been terminated as a result of Elon Musk‘s Department of Government Efficiency.
Vince, who had been the sole locksmith at the park, recounted how he was informed of the firing via email, without any prior indication the cut would be coming.
After losing his job, Vince was part of a group that hung an upside-down flag from Yosemite’s El Capitan in protest of DOGE’s actions. Last night, Vince found himself standing against a virtual backdrop of that site, displayed in JKL’s El Capitan Entertainment Centre studio.
After jokingly pointing out that Vince’s firing could lead to Yosemite visitors being trapped in a bathroom for the rest of their lives, Kimmel posed a question to the former locksmith: “What are the chances that we could trick Elon Musk into going into one of those bathrooms?”
“With a bear is what I propose,” Vince replied.
Kimmel then revealed why he had brought Vince onto the show: a one-off job opportunity.
“There’s only so much we can do, [but] we wanted to give you a little job so you can make a little bit of money during this time,” Kimmel told Vince, noting that Jimmy Kimmel Live! has never had a locksmith on staff before. “We would like you to put a lock on the minibar in Guillermo’s dressing room, because we’re worried he may be drinking too much.”
An unenthused Guillermo Rodriguez then begrudgingly led Vince back to his dressing room, where Kimmel checked in with him later in the show. Vince had padlocked Rodriguez’s mini-fridge shut, prompting the sidekick to lunge for the locksmith’s keys, then attempt to pick the lock with a knife.
“Nate, will you make sure it’s extra strong?” Kimmel asked. “Because he’ll gnaw through that lock like a rat or something.”
With Vince’s night of work for Jimmy Kimmel Live! done, one wonders whether Kimmel will contract more employees laid off by DOGE for jobs around the studio in the days and weeks ahead.
Look, screw DOGE but why does the park need a full time locksmith? Can’t s maintenance guy double as a locksmith? is there really THAT much locksmithing to do at the park all day everyday? I just don’t know. I feel it would be cheaper for tax payers if the park called AAA every time they needed one.
He probably performs multiple functions at Yosemite.
Trump and musk r 2 pieces of crap 2 billionaires who don’t care about any working stiff
da! jimmy kind and empathy! Live in beautiful oregon who care ! state parks shutting down I enjoy MONSTERS
Kimmel hires 1 person to do a job not even needed. He will be paid for work that isn’t even necessary. Maybe he can be retrained as a comedy writer. A position that is certainly needed at that operation.
Larry you sound like a miserable person, Jimmy hilarious maybe see a shrink or take a class in comedy. Like Trump you are upset Jimmy picking on your favorite Orange glutenous Man.
I would believe like many employees sure he did other things outside locksmithing.
laugh a little.
Every producer of every show should do the same thing. And pay them handsomely!
National Park Staff are some of the FINEST people I ever encounter every year. They’ve been shortchanged for decades and it is our national shame. You and I own those parks: our nations crown jewels!
These patient people have outstanding educations for the work they do, yet encounter some of the most belligerent public morons imaginable. It’s a dangerous job too. A criminal killed a beloved Ranger on Mt Rainier who was protecting the public.
Thank JK for showing some love in this obscene situation.
And if you are fortunate enough to visit a park now, please bring a couple trash bags and take some extra garbage when you exit. We all need to step up a little until our country is restored to sanity.
I work in the park, and have never seen or heard of this guy. EVER. Though there is 2 other locksmith’s that I know of
You hired him to lock up a mini fridge? Sounds like a waste of network money.
Some folks are going to lose jobs over the DOGE clean up. This country can’t keep bleeding money. My dad lost his job last week due to the clean up,but he did what any person should have the mind to do, he applied for another job and he’s back to work. Let’s stop hanging our heads and start helping this country get back on its feet. This country badly needs us right now and we need to do what it takes to help out. Stop the hate and lend a hand.
Remember Jimmy Kimmel is a comedian and that’s his job and he has made fun of many president not just Trump who has allowed Musk to create chaos and dysfunctional government. open your eyes.
So touching!
I love this Jimmy puting everyday people we all count on but just don’t see them fired with out cause, please give each opportunity to explain exactly what they did in there former job national Park or whatever. I think that’s important for these people to get opportunities in national TV to tell the American people who what they did when unreasonable discharged.
The National Park were struggling for years with inadequate staffing, this year will certainly be worse than previous years . Trump Musk many wealthy never visit our national parks or State Parks. So just the regular American people suffer because of Stupid. There’s no methodical rational transparent review of any agency because if there was it requires forensic auditors and financial fraud experts involved and that’s not happening. Musk Trump have no documentation of any fraud only what they are telling us.
Trump and musk r 2 pieces of shit
Johnny B, have you ever applied to be a locksmith, or hired one? They have not just a training program they have to take, but a clear background check and strict adherence to multiple security checks every year. These people don’t just show up with bolt cutters or a hacksaw, this is a highly skilled and monitored job. Ethics and honest are required.
Just my opinion, but they need to start in Washinton D.C. I’m sure the majority of Americans don’t know that every president, the senators, and house members all get paid their salaries for life, this isn’tcounting their healthcare they get for life.
PRESIDENT: $450,000 for life; HOUSE/SENATE: $174,000 for life; SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: $223,500 for life; MAJORITY/MINORITY LEADERS: $194,400 for life; Now the really disgusting part: AVERAGE SOLDIER DEPLOYED: $38,000 per year; AVERAGE SENIOR ON SOCIAL SECURITY: $12,000 per year. I think we found where the cuts need to be made.