The House Homeland Security Committee is set to hold a hearing on December 3 to investigate the connection between anti-law enforcement rhetoric and the recent surge in violence against federal law enforcement and ICE officers. This decision follows a significant increase in attacks against immigration officers, with the Department of Homeland Security reporting that incidents of assault against federal immigration agents have surged nearly 700% compared to the same period in 2024.
Committee Chair Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., emphasized the gravity of the situation, calling such acts of violence against law enforcement unacceptable. “It is unacceptable that the brave men and women of law enforcement, who risk their lives daily to secure the homeland and protect the public, are facing targeted violence from radicals and international gangs on U.S. soil,” Garbarino stated in a Monday statement to Fox News Digital. He called for Congress to support law enforcement and ensure federal agencies have the resources needed to keep officers safe.
The hearing, titled ‘When Badges Become Targets: How Anti-Law Enforcement Rhetoric Fuels Violence Against Officers,’ will examine the link between anti-police rhetoric and increased violence. It will include testimony from Michael Hughes, executive director of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association; Patrick Yoes, national president of the Fraternal Order of Police; and Jonathan Thompson, executive director and CEO of the National Sheriffs’ Association. These leaders are expected to provide insights into the role of political rhetoric in influencing public perception and the impact on officer safety.
Recent violent incidents, such as the shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas where two detainees were killed, have underscored the urgency of the situation. The FBI has labeled the Dallas attack as a targeted assault, and the Department of Homeland Security has noted that shell casings found at the site carried “anti-ICE” messages. Rep. August Pfluger, chairman of the counterterrorism and intelligence subcommittee, has warned that such attacks are part of a broader pattern of violence driven by anti-law enforcement rhetoric and political extremism.
The Department of Homeland Security also reported that Mexico’s cartels have placed bounties on ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. Despite this, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that her government has no information on the matter and is seeking further details. Rep. Michael Guest, chairman of the border security and enforcement subcommittee, emphasized the need for bipartisan action to empower law enforcement and secure U.S. borders and communities.
Meanwhile, the White House has urged Democrats to tone down their rhetoric toward ICE, particularly in response to the Trump administration’s deportation agenda. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., has previously criticized ICE as acting “like a terrorist force,” a statement she has since stood by in a CNN interview, despite pressure from the White House to apologize.
This hearing marks a significant effort by House Republicans to address the growing concerns over law enforcement safety and the potential influence of political rhetoric on public behavior. With tensions on the rise, the hearing aims to explore solutions for protecting officers and reinforcing the role of federal agencies in maintaining national security and public safety.