Anthony Kelly, 38, of Cincinnati, was arrested after allegedly making multiple threats online to shoot and kill ICE officers, according to federal officials. The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Todd Lyons, denounced the posts as ‘disgusting and completely unhinged,’ stating that such actions are not protest but terrorism. Lyons criticized anti-ICE activists for turning law enforcement into targets, saying, ‘This is what happens when anti-ICE activists don’t realize or care that we’re out there arresting rapists, murderers and child molesters who are in this country illegally. Enough is enough. Anyone who targets ICE personnel will be met with swift, unrelenting justice.’
The arrest of Kelly came after an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). They identified the social media user named ‘Slab’ as Kelly, who lives in the Cincinnati area. The user allegedly made multiple posts calling for the killing of ICE officers and detailing the acquisition of firearms to carry out the threat. One of the posts included the message, ‘#RevolutionIsTheSolution #DestroyICE they’re rabid dogs that need to be put down. Including #KristiNoem,’ as reported by ICE.
Lyons emphasized that ‘Calling for violence against federal law enforcement is not protected by the First Amendment.’ He added, ‘At great personal risk, ICE agents and officers faithfully enforce laws passed by our representatives in Congress. If members of the public disagree with our nation’s laws, they need to write their representatives, not threaten violence against those charged with carrying out the law.’
Additional context was provided by another ICE post, where Kelly allegedly wrote, ‘Why even bother with these d— courts anymore. #Gestapedos don’t deserve anything but the smoke coming for them anyway.’ Another post reportedly stated, ‘You come here for me, you’re getting shot. And I’m not looking to disable […] I’m shooting for the kill. I won’t give a **** about your names, who you are, or anything else.’
Kelly now remains in custody pending federal court proceedings. The case highlights the ongoing tensions between ICE and anti-immigration activists, particularly those who have been vocal in their criticism of the agency’s practices. It also reflects the broader debate over the limits of free speech and the use of threatening rhetoric against law enforcement. The incident further underscores the challenges faced by ICE agents, who often find themselves at the center of political and social controversies, and the importance of upholding the rule of law and public safety.