Republican Attacks Trump Over ICE Raids
Former Illinois congressman Joe Walsh criticized the Trump administration this week over immigration enforcement operations that continued through the Christmas holiday, reigniting debate over border security and federal law enforcement priorities.
Walsh, a longtime critic of President Trump who later left the Republican Party and aligned himself with Democrats, made the remarks during a recent episode of The Social Contract podcast. He said he attempted to disconnect from political news over Christmas but became frustrated after seeing reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were conducting arrests on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Walsh objected to the timing of the enforcement actions, expressing concern over agents carrying out operations during the holiday period.
Federal officials, however, defended the operations, emphasizing that immigration enforcement remains focused on public safety and the removal of dangerous criminals. The Department of Homeland Security announced that ICE officers made multiple arrests during the holiday week, targeting individuals with serious criminal records.
According to DHS, those taken into custody included convicted sex offenders, violent criminals, and individuals involved in human trafficking.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the enforcement actions were intended to protect American communities during the holiday season.
“This Christmas season, Americans can be thankful that criminal illegal aliens are being removed from their neighborhoods,” McLaughlin said. “ICE officers are doing their job by keeping communities safer and enforcing federal immigration law.”
Authorities also confirmed an incident in Maryland in which federal agents opened fire after a suspect allegedly attempted to flee an enforcement operation by driving a vehicle toward officers. Officials said the use of force occurred during a dangerous encounter while agents were attempting to detain an undocumented immigrant.
The Trump administration has also continued encouraging voluntary compliance with immigration law. DHS announced that undocumented immigrants who choose to self-deport before December 31 may be eligible for a $3,000 stipend and a complimentary flight home through the CBP Home mobile application.
In recent weeks, DHS sources told NewsNation correspondent Ali Bradley that Border Patrol and ICE teams have shifted away from large, highly visible workplace raids and are instead prioritizing targeted enforcement against individuals convicted of serious crimes.
While immigration enforcement actions have drawn protests from activist groups in some cities, administration officials maintain that enforcing existing immigration law—especially against violent offenders—remains a core responsibility of the federal government.
Supporters of the policy argue that removing dangerous criminals from American communities strengthens public safety and upholds the rule of law, regardless of the calendar.
