Democrat Attacks Trump’s ICE Again
Democratic lawmakers intensified their criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this weekend, openly questioning whether the agency should continue to exist—even as President Donald Trump reiterates his commitment to border security and public safety.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) claimed during a Sunday interview on ABC News that ICE requires “dramatic reform,” accusing federal agents of acting outside the law while defending recent protests tied to immigration enforcement.
Van Hollen went further, arguing that Congress should reconsider funding the agency altogether. He also challenged President Trump’s long-standing pledge to prioritize the removal of dangerous criminals, citing previously released ICE statistics that he says showed many detainees were not violent offenders. According to the senator, that data is no longer publicly available.
Incident in Minneapolis Fuels Political Firestorm
The renewed debate follows a fatal shooting in Minneapolis involving an ICE officer, an incident now under internal review by the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the officer’s actions.
The case has become a rallying point for immigration activists and progressive lawmakers who oppose President Trump’s enforcement-first approach during his second term.
Trump Signals Readiness to Act if Violence Escalates
As demonstrations spread in Minneapolis, President Trump warned last week that he could invoke the Insurrection Act if unrest turns violent. The president later clarified that he sees no immediate need to use the authority, but emphasized that restoring order remains a top priority.
“I don’t think there’s any reason right now to use it,” Trump told reporters, adding that he would act decisively if conditions change.
Calls to Eliminate ICE Grow Louder on the Left
Other Democrats went even further than Van Hollen. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) said in a CNN interview that ICE should be dismantled entirely and rebuilt from scratch.
Gallego argued that immigration enforcement should focus strictly on criminals and national security threats, while placing blame for ICE’s current direction on Trump administration adviser Stephen Miller, using charged rhetoric to describe federal operations.
A Clear Political Divide Ahead of 2026
The controversy highlights a growing divide as Democrats increasingly call to defund or abolish ICE, while President Trump and his supporters argue that strong enforcement is essential to protect American communities, secure the border, and uphold the rule of law.
With immigration expected to be a central issue heading into the 2026 midterm elections, the clash over ICE appears far from over.
