The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has indicated that “co-sick rioters” are believed to have attacked immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) offices over the weekend.
During the incident on Saturday, rocks were thrown at a Washington building housing the agency, which led to a fire at the rear of the property. The precise motive remains unclear, but local authorities are treating the event as suspected arson. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is urging Democrats to temper their rhetoric against ICE.
“Don’t misunderstand. Politicians from the Democratic side, like Hakeem Jeffries, Boston Mayor Wu, Tim Walz, and Los Angeles Mayor Bass, have helped fuel an increase in attacks on ICE officials by demonizing them,” a spokesperson mentioned.
They further stated, “From likening these agents to the modern Nazi Gestapo to glorifying the actions of rioters, the violent language used by these sanctuary politicians has gone too far. Committee Noem made it clear: anyone who tries to harm a law enforcement officer will be prosecuted to the fullest degree.”
The DHS is currently investigating an attack in Yakima, Washington, but thankfully, no injuries have been reported from the incident.
This arson attack adds to a disturbing trend of anti-ICE actions against government agencies since President Trump took office. McLaughlin noted that assaults on ICE personnel have surged by an astonishing 830%.
There have been several notable threats directed at ICE agents amid a crackdown on illegal immigration. For instance, a man from Texas was arrested in April after allegedly threatening to shoot a deportation officer he spotted in his neighborhood, even referring to the agent as “secret police.” This term has been used by some Democrats and critics of the agency.
In another instance, a New York man was arrested and charged in July for allegedly posting a threat online to kill ICE agents. He reportedly made inflammatory remarks, expressing a desire to inflict violence on them.
ICE agents, unfortunately, face real dangers beyond online threats. In response to federal immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles, over a thousand individuals targeted federal buildings in June, aggressively assaulting deportees, vandalizing property, and damaging government assets. Press coverage showed chaotic scenes of anti-ICE protests that blocked traffic and destroyed public property.
These types of riots have spread to other major regions across the country.
In July, four individuals were arrested for reportedly spiking a Border Patrol vehicle while carrying branded tote bags associated with an organization under Congressional investigation for promoting the unrest that affected LA.
On Tuesday, the Department of Justice released an updated list of sanctuary jurisdictions in the U.S., including Washington, which generally restricts local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials.
Washington is no stranger to anti-ICE violence; in 2019, Willem Vancensen attacked an immigration detention center in Tacoma, brandishing rifles and flares. His attempt to ignite the building resulted in the destruction of a nearby vehicle, ultimately leading to a fatal shootout with law enforcement.
