Homeland Security has expressed strong disapproval of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s remarks, which likened ICE agents to a neo-Nazi group based in New England. The statement was a reaction to a video shared by a White House-linked account, where Wu stated that ICE agents wear masks during operations, similar to the NSC-131 group. The department called these comparisons ‘sickening,’ emphasizing the bravery of law enforcement and the dangers they face, including a significant rise in assaults on ICE officers.
The Department of Homeland Security has strongly criticized Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for her comments comparing ICE agents to a neo-Nazi group. In a response to a video posted by an account linked to the White House, the department called Wu’s remarks ‘sickening,’ highlighting the potential danger to law enforcement and the impact of inflammatory rhetoric. Wu made the remarks during a discussion about the use of masks by ICE agents, drawing a comparison to the New England-based NSC-13, a group known for its neo-Nazi ideology. The department emphasized the bravery of law enforcement and the increasing threats they face, including a 413% rise in assaults on ICE officers.
The Anti-Defamation League has described members of NSC-131 as individuals who consider themselves soldiers in a war against a ‘hostile, Jewish-controlled system’ aiming to ‘plot the extinction of the White race.’ Wu’s comments have also sparked broader discussions about the portrayal of law enforcement and the use of masks during operations. In an interview with WBUR, Wu expressed concerns about the safety of residents, stating that people are ‘terrified for their lives and for their neighbors’ due to fears of being targeted by ‘secret police’ wearing masks. These statements have faced backlash from law enforcement officials and members of the public, who argue that the rhetoric undermines the credibility of federal agents.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons addressed Wu in a message, urging her to ‘remember that’ and highlighting the real impact of her comments on the families of ICE agents. Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley of the District of Massachusetts released a video message asserting that federal agents wear masks to protect themselves from false narratives created by officials like Wu. The Attorney emphasized that the safety of federal agents and their families is at risk due to the misinformation spreading about their activities. The situation has also drawn attention to the broader political landscape, with Democrats in New York City debating issues related to defunding police and combating ICE, further illustrating the polarized nature of the discussion surrounding law enforcement and immigration policies.