Walz Compares ICE to Gestapo in Speech
During a speech at the University of Minnesota Law School, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota made a controversial comparison, likening Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials who enacted the Trump administration’s immigration policies to the Gestapo.
Former President Trump had enacted various executive orders aimed at tackling illegal immigration and enhancing border security. This included labeling certain South and Central American gangs as Mexican drug cartels and foreign terrorist organizations. He also invoked the Alien Enemies Act to speed up deportations of gang members. Walz, who previously ran as a Democratic candidate for vice president in 2024, suggested that Trump used ICE much like Adolf Hitler utilized the Gestapo to pursue his enemies.
“Donald Trump’s modern Gestapo is scooping people up on the streets,” Walz claimed. “They’re driving unmarked vans, wearing masks, and whisking people away to places where they can’t defend themselves or say goodbye to their families.” He expressed further concern, stating, “There’s no way to know if they’re actually criminals because they haven’t even been given a trial.”
There’s been some tension in the political landscape regarding immigration. Recent polls indicated that 48.3% of Americans approve of Trump’s immigration strategies, while slightly more, 48.9%, disapprove. Data released by the White House noted that during Trump’s first 100 days, encounters at the border and instances of “Gotaway” had decreased by over 93%.
In a separate incident, Walz referenced a situation that occurred on May 9 outside an ICE facility in New Jersey, involving several Congress members. In that regard, a Democrat later dismissed allegations of intimidation in a CNN interview.
Rachel Campos-Duffy from Fox News recently visited Newark’s ICE facility and provided her observations on “Fox and Friends.” She noted that there wasn’t anything to hide, describing the facility as clean and equipped with various recreational areas, outdoor fields, and legal resources. Describing the accommodations, she mentioned that the facility resembled a high school.
Some are speculating that Walz might be a potential Democratic candidate for the presidential election in 2028.
