Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) referred to ICE as a “terrorist force” in a recent social media post.
During an appearance on “CNN News Central” with Brianna Keilar, Jayapal discussed her Instagram post from the previous day. She expressed, “ICE operates like terrorists. Individuals throughout the country, regardless of their legal status—including US citizens—have been approached by masked agents and vanished from the streets. There’s a complete lack of surveillance or accountability. It feels entirely lawless.”
Keilar later prompted Jayapal to respond to a statement from White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson, which was shared with Fox News Digital.
Jackson’s statement condemned Jayapal’s remarks, calling them “disgusting” and urging for an immediate apology. She stated, “The dedicated ICE officers are simply doing their job, enforcing federal immigration laws with professionalism.”
Furthermore, Jackson criticized Jayapal’s comments, saying they contribute to radicalizing supporters against federal law enforcement, resulting in a staggering 500% increase in attacks on ICE agents this year.
In the interview, Jayapal defended her stance: “What’s confusing and cruel is that we literally see individuals we think are ICE agents wearing masks and subpar clothing.”
She added, “I never thought I would witness such things happening in America.”
Jayapal emphasized, “The administration owes an apology to US citizens who are legally residing here, including those who’ve lived without issues for decades but are now being targeted and removed by masked agents.”
Describing ICE’s actions as “outrageous” and “illegal,” Jayapal voiced her concern: “This causes real fear among people, including small business owners and farmers.” She noted a roundtable she hosted in Spokane where local growers shared that sales were dropping because customers were too afraid to dine out.
Separately, Border Czar Tom Homan addressed the issue of attacks on ICE agents during his appearance on “The Will Cain Show,” also criticizing an app named ICEBlock.
Homan pointed out, “The attacks on ICE have increased by over 500%.” He warned that the app, which tracks ICE operations, could lead to ambushes of agents, similar to violent incidents that have previously occurred.
