Conservatives blast Dems, Walz for likening ICE agents to Nazi police force
The Trump administration and Republican lawmakers have strongly condemned Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts and Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for their comparison of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations to the Gestapo, the infamous police force in Nazi Germany. The remarks made by Lynch and Walz have sparked outrage and backlash from conservatives.
During a House Oversight Committee hearing on Thursday, Lynch made the controversial statement, saying, “When you compare the old films of the Gestapo grabbing people off the streets of Poland, and you compare them to those nondescript thugs… it does look like a Gestapo operation.” Walz also faced criticism for his similar comments about ICE, calling them “Donald Trump’s modern-day Gestapo.”
The White House quickly responded to these remarks, calling them “disgusting.” Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Andy Biggs and Rep. Tom Emmer, condemned Lynch and Walz for their dangerous rhetoric, with Emmer directly questioning Walz about his inflammatory remarks.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also weighed in on the issue, calling Walz’s comments “SICKENING.” DHS emphasized that ICE agents risk their lives to enforce immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens.
The Trump administration’s ICE arrest goals have been a point of contention with Democratic leaders, especially regarding state and local authorities’ compliance with federal immigration enforcement. ICE currently has a daily goal of 3,000 arrests of individuals in the country illegally.
The inflammatory rhetoric from Lynch and Walz has drawn widespread criticism for its potential to incite violence and undermine the work of ICE agents. The debate over immigration policies continues to be a divisive issue in American politics, with both sides expressing strong opinions on the matter.
As the controversy surrounding Lynch and Walz’s remarks unfolds, the debate over immigration enforcement and the role of ICE in upholding federal laws remains a contentious issue in the political landscape. The clash between the Trump administration’s enforcement priorities and Democratic leaders’ views on immigration policy underscores the deep divides in the country on this critical issue.
