As ICE agents face unprecedented danger on the job, Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal has sparked outrage by comparing them to terrorists. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons is demanding an apology as violence against law enforcement hits alarming levels.
At a glance:
• ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons condemned Rep. Pramila Jayapal for calling ICE “a terrorist force”
• Assaults on ICE and federal officers have increased by 690% since Trump took office
• Jayapal refused to apologize, instead claiming the administration owes Americans an apology
• Lyons expressed concern that such rhetoric could incite further violence against agents
• ICE continues operations despite opposition from local Democratic officials
ICE Director Blasts Jayapal’s Dangerous Rhetoric
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons has publicly denounced Representative Pramila Jayapal for her inflammatory comments labeling Immigration and Customs Enforcement as “a terrorist force.” The remarks come amid a disturbing 690% increase in assaults against ICE and federal officers since President Donald Trump took office.
Lyons highlighted the danger of such rhetoric at a time when law enforcement faces unprecedented threats nationwide. He pointed to a pattern of behavior from the Democratic congresswoman who has previously shifted blame to conservatives rather than condemning violence against ICE facilities.
The controversy erupted after Jayapal accused ICE agents of “kidnapping and disappearing people on the streets of the United States.” Her comments referenced ongoing enforcement operations that have continued despite opposition from Democratic officials in areas like Los Angeles.
Democrat Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal just called ICE Agents “terrorists” pic.twitter.com/0UrhuPJYrV
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) July 3, 2025
Escalating Threats Against ICE Personnel
ICE officers face growing concerns about “de-masking” – the public identification of agents and their families – which puts them at risk for targeted harassment or violence. The agency reports that physical and verbal assaults on ICE officers have reached alarming levels as political rhetoric intensifies.
On July 2, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a “terrorist force.”
Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons’ response to the Congresswoman:
“An actual Antifa terrorist tried to blow up ICE’s Northwest Processing Center in Rep. Jayapal’s…
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) July 3, 2025
In his statement, Lyons directly addressed Jayapal’s history regarding attacks on ICE facilities.
“Now, she labels ICE officers enforcing immigration law set by Congress ‘terrorists,’” Lyons said, suggesting that the congresswoman’s priorities favor protecting criminals over supporting law enforcement.
Despite the opposition from Democratic leaders, ICE continues to conduct operations nationwide to enforce immigration laws. The agency recently responded to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s demand that federal immigration authorities “go home” by confirming they will maintain their presence and enforcement activities.
No Apology From Jayapal As Tensions Rise
Rather than apologizing for her inflammatory remarks, Representative Jayapal doubled down on her characterization of ICE. She claimed that “the administration owes Americans an apology for immigration enforcement” while defending her comparison of federal agents to terrorists.
Because of course she did…
The conflict occurs against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement. Border apprehensions have dropped significantly under President Trump’s policies, with new facilities being established to manage detainees effectively.
ICE continues to fulfill its mission despite political obstacles, recently completing successful operations including the sentencing of a man in Maryland for child sexual abuse following an agency investigation. The agency maintains that political rhetoric targeting their officers puts both agents and public safety at risk as they work to enforce laws established by Congress.
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Author: Editorial Team
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