Acting ICE Director Responds to Calls for Resignation
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons expressed his support for a recent response against Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, who suggested during a hearing that Lyons should resign and look for “otherwise employable” law enforcement jobs. This comment follows a wave of similar calls from Democrats after two individuals linked to immigration enforcement were shot in Minneapolis.
Lyons stated, “Leading this agency is a choice, and it’s a choice I make to stand alongside the brave men and women who enforce this nation’s immigration laws.” He emphasized his pride in their daily efforts to ensure safety for communities and families, asserting that, like them, he has pledged to uphold the Constitution.
Addressing the criticism, Lyons mentioned that if Congress members have a “misunderstanding” of ICE’s mission, then their calls for his resignation could mislead the public. He affirmed his commitment to the rule of law and made it clear he has no intentions of stepping down.
In addition to Swalwell, several other Democrats have echoed calls for Lyons to resign, often accompanied by remarks aimed at DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
During the same hearing, Rep. Daniel Goldman, a co-sponsor of Swalwell’s ICE OUT Act, suggested that if Lyons wants to avoid comparisons between his agency and authoritarian regimes, he should alter his approach.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, representing Minnesota’s district where ICE’s activities have become increasingly controversial, demanded accountability for what she described as a “military occupation.” Seattle Rep. Pramila Jayapal also led a group of 156 Congress members in advocating for a leadership change at ICE.
Additional calls for accountability have come from Senators Martin Heinrich and Peter Welch. Notably, Rep. LaMonica McIver from New Jersey sharply questioned Lyons at the hearing, even asking if he believed he was going to hell—prompting Lyons to decline to answer, while New York’s Chairman Andrew Garbarino reminded McIver to keep the conversation respectful.
