January 1, Anti-ICE Chaos Fuels Violence, GOP Falters

Wyatt’s Take

• A man is dead after clashing with federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.
• Democratic leaders and activists have stirred up hostility toward law enforcement, making violence more likely.
• Some Republicans are now backing down instead of standing up to the lawlessness.

A 37-year-old man died in Minneapolis after a confrontation with federal immigration agents. Tensions were already high, as Democrats and activists have spent over a year calling for resistance to enforcement—sometimes even encouraging violence.

Instead of firmly opposing the climate that led to this, some GOP leaders are wavering. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said, “I don’t think that’s what Americans want,” when asked about deporting all illegal aliens. He questioned whether ICE should be removed from Minnesota and urged the president to “bring this to conclusion.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski called recent chaos in Minneapolis “shocking” and raised doubts about immigration agents’ training. Former Gov. John Kasich said, “antics in Minnesota are waking up the whole country. You see it’s bothering us, because we don’t see justice and we don’t see fairness.”

Attacks against ICE agents have risen sharply, with firebombings and shootings targeting federal facilities. In Los Angeles last December, there was a firebomb threat at an ICE office. ANTIFA targeted a Texas ICE building in July. In September, bullets inscribed “ANTI-ICE” killed detainees in a federal vehicle.

This uptick in violence comes after Democrats have spent years calling immigration enforcement immoral, suggesting resistance by any means necessary.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries compared ICE to agents from “the 1930s.” Rep. Dan Goldman said ICE used “Gestapo-like tactics.” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz claimed ICE was Trump’s “modern-day Gestapo.”

According to a July report, activists have even said “what we really need to do is be willing to get shot” when visiting federal agencies. Another lawmaker said, “there needs to be blood to grab the attention of the press and the public,” while some claimed “civility isn’t working” and warned of “violence … to fight to protect our democracy.”

Even as anti-ICE protests create chaos, Democrat officials rarely push back. The deaths in Minneapolis happened in this hostile climate.

Some Republicans, instead of holding the line, are giving ground to those fueling this chaos. This only teaches mobs that violence will be rewarded and encourages more unrest.

“No serious country allows its immigration policy to be dictated by emotional mob blackmail and no serious country would even consider telling its law enforcement to stop enforcing federal law because activists might get upset.”

Giving in to threats won’t bring peace—it will only make the problem worse. If Republicans want less turmoil, they need to stop rewarding disorder and stand up for the rule of law.

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Wyatt Matters

Americans in the heartland know that if we don’t back our law enforcement and stick to our values, chaos and violence will only get worse. Standing firm sends the signal that order and safety matter in every community.