The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has strongly condemned Boston Mayor Michelle Wu for her recent remarks equating ICE agents with the neo-Nazi organization NSC-13, calling the comparison ‘sickening.’ The criticism came in response to Wu’s comments, which were shared by a White House-affiliated account and included assertions that ICE agents ‘routinely wear masks’ similar to members of the far-right group.
DHS issued a statement on X, emphasizing that ICE officers are equipped with masks to protect themselves during high-risk operations, where they are frequently targeted by violent gang members and criminals. The agency also noted the sharp increase in physical attacks against ICE agents, with a reported 413% rise in assaults, and warned that such rhetoric undermines public safety and jeopardizes the morale of law enforcement.
In addition to the recent DHS response, Wu’s comments sparked backlash from various legal and law enforcement figures. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) highlighted the extreme views of NSC-131, which describes itself as a group committed to ‘fighting’ a supposed ‘Jewish-controlled system’ and is linked to violence in the past. Law enforcement officials, including U.S. Attorney Leah Foley, have also criticized Wu’s remarks, arguing that her statements have fueled dangerous narratives that put both agents and the public at risk.
Wu’s statements have further intensified existing tensions between progressive policymakers and law enforcement agencies, with critics arguing that such rhetoric could lead to further violence and erode public trust in federal operations. However, Wu has defended her comments as a response to what she perceives as a growing fear of ‘secret police’ in the city, highlighting concerns about the lack of transparency in certain operations.