The House Homeland Security Committee is set to hold a hearing on December 3 to examine the connection between anti-law enforcement rhetoric and an increase in violence against officers, particularly those in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This follows a notable surge in attacks on federal immigration officials, with the Department of Homeland Security reporting over 700% more assaults in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
House Homeland Security Committee Chair Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., has expressed concern over the rise in violence against law enforcement, stating it is unacceptable for officers who risk their lives daily to be targeted by radicals and international gangs. ‘Congress must support the mission of law enforcement and ensure our federal agencies have the tools, resources, and partnerships needed to keep these dedicated professionals safe on the job,’ Garbarino said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
The hearing, titled ‘When Badges Become Targets: How Anti-Law Enforcement Rhetoric Fuels Violence Against Officers,’ will feature notable law enforcement leaders such as Michael Hughes, Patrick Yoes, and Jonathan Thompson. These individuals will share insights on the impact of rhetoric on violence against officers, particularly following recent incidents where federal immigration agents were attacked.
Recent cases include a shooting near the ICE Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado, Texas, where an officer was shot in the neck. Five individuals pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges following the incident. Another attack occurred at an ICE facility in Dallas in September, resulting in two detainee deaths and prompting the FBI to investigate it as a targeted attack. Shell casings with ‘anti-ICE’ messages were found at the site, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Rep. August Pfluger, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee’s counterterrorism and intelligence subcommittee, stated that the Dallas shooting was part of a broader pattern of violence fueled by anti-law enforcement rhetoric and political extremism. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security has shared intelligence that Mexico’s cartels have placed bounties on ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. While Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum denied knowledge of the matter, the U.S. government continues to press for more information.
Meanwhile, the White House has previously called on Democrats to moderate their rhetoric toward ICE, particularly as they challenge the Trump administration’s deportation policies. For instance, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., previously blamed ICE for acting ‘like a terrorist force,’ a statement she later stood by after the White House requested an apology.