House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has ignited a firestorm by condemning ICE operations near churches while conveniently ignoring violent leftist protesters who have actually disrupted houses of worship and assaulted federal agents attempting to enforce immigration law.
Story Snapshot
- Jeffries blasts ICE for potential operations near sensitive sites while refusing to address Democratic bill to abolish the agency entirely
- Fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis sparks protests, with assaults on ICE officers surging 1,300% nationwide under Trump’s renewed enforcement
- DHS Secretary Noem dismisses Jeffries’ demands as “silly showmanship” while defending agents facing unprecedented violence from activists
- Social media erupts, labeling Jeffries a “coward” for selective outrage that ignores leftist disruptions while attacking law enforcement
Jeffries’ Selective Outrage on ICE Operations
Hakeem Jeffries launched a blistering attack on January 15, 2026, condemning ICE as “totally out of control” and demanding the agency refrain from operations near hospitals, schools, and houses of worship. The House Minority Leader challenged DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to testify before Congress regarding ICE tactics, including the absence of body cameras during enforcement actions. His rhetorical offensive follows a fatal ICE shooting of 37-year-old activist Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis during early January 2026, which sparked vigils and escalating street protests involving pepper balls and flashbangs.
The Hypocrisy Americans Are Noticing
Jeffries’ passionate defense of sacred spaces rings hollow when examined against the broader context of leftist activism under the Trump administration’s renewed immigration enforcement. While warning ICE against “storming” churches, Jeffries conspicuously avoided addressing a Democratic bill to abolish ICE entirely when questioned by reporters. This evasion drew swift condemnation on social media, where critics labeled him a “coward” for refusing to take a clear position. His selective concern for disruption at sensitive locations ignores the reality that Democrat-aligned protesters have themselves engaged in confrontational tactics, including occupations of public spaces and aggressive confrontations with federal officers.
ICE Agents Under Unprecedented Attack
The Department of Homeland Security reports assaults on ICE officers have skyrocketed by 1,300% as the Trump administration intensifies deportation operations in sanctuary cities like Minneapolis. DHS officials rebuffed Jeffries’ demands as politically motivated theatrics, with a spokesperson stating the Minority Leader prioritizes “division” over protecting Americans from criminal illegal aliens. Secretary Noem defended her agents’ actions, emphasizing their commitment to enforcing federal immigration law despite facing organized resistance. Democratic mayors, including Boston’s Michelle Wu, have escalated tensions by demanding ICE agents remove protective gear and identify themselves publicly—requirements that endanger officers confronting increasingly violent mobs.
Federal Enforcement Versus Sanctuary City Obstruction
The Minneapolis incident exemplifies the collision between federal immigration enforcement and blue-city resistance that has defined Trump’s second term. Mayor Jacob Frey has publicly supported protesters and maintained sanctuary policies that shield illegal immigrants from federal authorities. Jeffries escalated his personal attacks on Secretary Noem, calling her “unqualified” and demanding she be “run out of town,” language that reveals the deep partisan divide over border security. The fatal shooting investigation continues at multiple levels, but Democrats have already weaponized the incident to advance their anti-ICE agenda, despite offering no solutions for the rising violence against federal officers simply doing their jobs under dangerous conditions created by leftist obstruction.
Sources:
Jeffries says DHS Secretary Noem should be ‘run out of town’ in ICE shooting fallout – Fox News
