In his latest role as host of “The Late Show,” Stephen Colbert is often at his best when he focuses less on playing down the middle and more on the satirical strengths he played up on “The Colbert Report.” Here, he hits the target—and certain members of Congress—where it counts in this timely gun control takedown.

After decrying the Senate’s utter failure to pass any of the four gun control measures up for a vote Monday, Colbert pointed out the absurdity of a setup in which the wishes of 92 percent of a body of elected representatives are squelched by a tiny, pugnacious minority. “Since when does eight percent of the population get to have total control of an issue?” he asked, before scrapping politesse in favor of frankness in a segment titled “Stephen Colbert Takes the Gloves Off.”

The opening salvo: “Hey Senate—I’ve seen bugs trapped in amber move faster than you,” he began.

The follow-up: “Hey—you guys think a ‘terrorist watch list’ is when you put ‘Homeland’ on your Netflix queue.”

And the clincher: “You might as well ask the gun lobby to check for a hernia as long as they’ve got your balls in their hands.”

Here’s hoping this welcome display of biting humor is a signal that Les Moonves and other top brass at CBS have decided to counter lackluster ratings and stand out in a crowd of late-night shows by letting Colbert keep the gloves off.

Watch the full clip below (CBS via YouTube):

Les MoonvePosted by Kasia Anderson

Your support is crucial…

With an uncertain future and a new administration casting doubt on press freedoms, the danger is clear: The truth is at risk.

Now is the time to give. Your tax-deductible support allows us to dig deeper, delivering fearless investigative reporting and analysis that exposes what’s really happening — without compromise.

Stand with our courageous journalists. Donate today to protect a free press, uphold democracy and unearth untold stories.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG