Rhetoric against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is intensifying, fueled by a mix of viral TikTok videos and statements from various prominent figures, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and musicians like Bruce Springsteen. They’ve drawn parallels between ICE and the Gestapo, the notorious secret police of Nazi Germany.
California Congressman Eric Swalwell, who is in the race for governor, has stated his intention to ensure that ICE agents can’t secure jobs in the state. Similarly, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has claimed he would “hunt down” ICE agents, emphasizing that the U.S. population vastly outnumbers them.
Late-night talk show hosts are also voicing their discontent, with Stephen Colbert openly expressing disdain for ICE during his show, and Jimmy Kimmel describing the agents as poorly trained individuals involved in serious misconduct, particularly following the deaths of federal agents, Renee Goode and Alex Preti.
Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, has even called for severe repercussions for Trump’s immigration advisor, Stephen Miller, advocating for a trial similar to the Nuremberg trials. He has openly stated that he desires Miller to be “tried and convicted,” leading to his execution.
On the streets, expressions of frustration have included interviews from individuals promising to remove Trump and his associates from power, asserting that “justice will be served.” In another instance, a nurse from Virginia Commonwealth University was terminated after posting videos that suggested ways to harm ICE agents, using her now-deleted TikTok account.
In one video, she controversially proposed that single women could take action against ICE agents, suggesting using tactics that could incapacitate them. The situation escalated quickly, resulting in widespread backlash online.
Additionally, a Democratic candidate for Ohio attorney general faced criticism for a social media post discussing his thoughts on capital punishment for Trump. He clarified that he meant a conviction through due process, which led to the suggested outcome.
In a social media video, Lee McGowan, known as ‘PoliticsGirl,’ criticized senators supporting ICE, labeling them as “insane” and calling for the abolition of the agency, though she acknowledged the need for some form of immigration enforcement.
A self-identified Antifa member from Minneapolis urged individuals to prepare themselves physically against perceived threats, expressing concern over ongoing violence and advocating for a proactive stance in defense of communities.
