Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration have condemned Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for comparing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to the Nazi Gestapo, with the White House calling such comparisons ‘disgusting.’ The remarks, made during a House Oversight Committee hearing, have sparked outrage over the potential incitement of violence against law enforcement.
During the hearing, Lynch accused ICE agents of conducting operations similar to those of the Gestapo, a feared police force under Nazi Germany. The White House and Republican representatives have sharply criticized these remarks, arguing that they trivialize the serious dangers faced by ICE agents. Rep. Andy Biggs called the comments ‘sick,’ stating that equating lawful police activity with Nazi tactics is a dangerous form of rhetoric.
Walz had previously made similar remarks at a University of Minnesota law school commencement address, where he criticized ICE’s enforcement methods as reminiscent of Nazi tactics. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) echoed these criticisms, declaring that such comparisons were ‘sickening’ and emphasizing the bravery of ICE agents in their duties.
Rep. Tom Emmer has also criticized Walz’s past rhetoric, pointing out that his comments could contribute to the rising violence against ICE agents. The ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders highlight the deepening political divide in the United States over immigration policy and the treatment of law enforcement. As the debate continues, the impact of such rhetoric on public perception and political strategy remains a significant concern.