Well, isn’t this funny?
ABC’s daytime talk show The View found itself walking back controversial remarks this week after co-host Whoopi Goldberg appeared to accuse Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of criminal behavior — comments she later clarified on air.
On-Air Remarks Spark Immediate Backlash
During the opening segment of Monday’s broadcast, Goldberg spoke critically about immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, suggesting that the administration had promised to focus on violent offenders.
“You said you were going after the bad guys — the violent criminals,” Goldberg said, speaking rhetorically. “And what does it turn out? The violent criminals seem to be in the agency.”
The remarks quickly drew criticism from viewers who viewed the comments as unfairly painting federal law enforcement officers with a broad brush.
Goldberg Walks Back Statement After Break
Following a commercial break, Goldberg addressed the controversy directly, making clear that she was not accusing ICE agents as a whole of criminal conduct.
“Before people start saying I’m accusing everyone at ICE of being criminals — that’s not what I’m doing,” she said. Goldberg explained that her concern centered on accountability and oversight, adding that at times it feels like “no one is watching the hen house.”
Her clarification appeared aimed at calming backlash and reframing the discussion.
Co-Hosts Reframe the Conversation
Co-host Sunny Hostin stepped in to further narrow the focus, suggesting the issue was about transparency following several officer-involved incidents.
Hostin said there has been limited public reporting on certain cases and argued that clearer communication from authorities could help restore trust. Goldberg agreed with that assessment, thanking Hostin for the clarification.
Incident at Center of Debate
The discussion followed the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a Minneapolis mother of three, who was killed last week during an encounter with an ICE agent. The Department of Homeland Security stated the agent acted in self-defense after Good allegedly drove her vehicle toward him. The incident remains under review.
In the days following the shooting, protests have occurred in several cities, increasing tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement.
Calls to “Abolish ICE” Resurface
The case has also renewed calls from progressive activists to dismantle ICE entirely — a slogan that had previously been viewed as a fringe position.
“You’re hearing ‘Abolish ICE’ again,” Hostin noted, while also acknowledging that Americans across political lines do not want to see violence or unrest in their communities.
Former Trump administration official Alyssa Farah Griffin added that regardless of political views on immigration enforcement, “Nobody signed up for this. Nobody said this is what we wanted.”
A Rare Moment of Clarification
For many conservative viewers, Goldberg’s on-air clarification amounted to a rare acknowledgment that rhetoric surrounding federal law enforcement can have serious consequences. Supporters of President Trump argue the episode underscores long-standing concerns about media narratives unfairly targeting those tasked with enforcing the law.
The moment also served as a reminder that even outspoken critics sometimes step back — and, when pressed by public reaction, offer a long-overdue clarification.
