Progressive Lawmaker Calls Out Immigration Officials in Heated Hearing

During a tense House hearing on Tuesday, Representative Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) sharply criticized U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott. He labeled federal immigration officials as “thugs” and expressed his expectation for them to receive presidential pardons from the Secretary.

Thanedar, who immigrated from India in the 1980s, did not hold back his criticism of Scott, stating, “I hope he gets pardoned because he will be held accountable for the absolute disregard for the law that government agencies have shown over the past year.”

This exchange unfolded in a House Homeland Security hearing focused on the Department of Homeland Security’s oversight, discussing agencies like ICE and CBP. Thanedar condemned Scott and Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, especially regarding the recent shootings involving federal agents in Minnesota.

After both officials defended their agents during Thanedar’s questioning, he responded sharply, saying, “I’ve heard enough. Your agents are running through our streets and causing illegal activity. ICE thugs are invading our communities.” He added, “We’re tired of them attacking Americans, using our children as decoys, reducing people to names and numbers, targeting individuals based on their accent and race, and murdering American citizens—all without remorse.”

Continuing, Thanedar questioned Scott and Lyons about whether they believed President Trump would pardon them before leaving office, similar to how he has pardoned others in the past. Scott replied carefully, “I don’t want to speak for President Trump, but I applied for this job to protect America. I’m proud of my service, and I don’t need anyone’s forgiveness.” Thanedar quickly retorted, “You better hope you get pardoned. Your agencies will be held accountable for their complete disregard for the law.”

Moreover, Thanedar criticized the agencies’ loss of the American people’s trust, saying, “When millions took to the streets to defend your agency’s illegal activities, your agency lost that trust. That’s why I introduced legislation to abolish ICE.” He also mentioned being a co-sponsor of the bill to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, asserting that she should be removed from office. “Congress must do everything in its power to act against these corrupt departments,” he concluded.

Before Thanedar could finish his statements, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino of New York interjected to adjourn the hearing, saying, “Gentlemen’s time has passed.”