Minnesota Democratic Rep. Angie Craig on Wednesday compared current Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations to images from 1930s Germany while discussing efforts by some Democrats to potentially defund the agency.
Craig's comments came amid heightened tensions in Minnesota following an ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis last week that has intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement in the region.
On MS NOW's "Ana Cabrera Reports," host Ana Cabrera asked Craig what Democratic lawmakers could do to "rein in" immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Craig responded forcefully that she would not support funding for ICE:
Rep. Angie Craig suggested a government shutdown wasn't "off the table" to push back against ICE operations.
"There’s no way in hell I’m voting to give one cent to Trump and Kristi Noem’s ICE. I won’t send one penny to these people who are terrorizing the people of Minnesota," Craig said, adding that Congress should bar ICE agents from entering schools and churches.
Cabrera then asked whether Craig would support efforts to force a government shutdown over ICE funding. Craig said she was not part of House leadership discussions but warned that the current direction of federal enforcement "certainly reminds me of many of the images that we saw in the 1930s in Germany," adding that Americans should "stand up to this lawless administration" and that "nothing should be off the table."
In response, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital that Craig's comparison was "dangerous, untrue smears," and asserted that ICE officers have faced a reported 1,300% increase in assaults against them as a result of such rhetoric. Jackson added that ICE personnel "act heroically to enforce the law and protect American communities with the utmost professionalism." The 1,300% figure is presented as the White House's claim.
Other political reactions referenced in coverage included Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reportedly backing a plan to fly Democratic senators and New York City police officers to Minneapolis to confront ICE, and public commentary from podcaster Joe Rogan, who described the Minneapolis shooting footage as "horrific" and "very ugly."
Democratic lawmakers have called for more efforts to defund ICE and impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
Progressive Democrats have suggested using the Jan. 30 appropriations deadline as leverage to press for changes to ICE funding. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) urged colleagues to "use every means at our disposal" during appropriations negotiations to pursue reforms.
Some outlets and social posts have also discussed holding South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem politically accountable in relation to the broader controversy. Note: several earlier reports mistakenly referred to Noem as the Department of Homeland Security secretary; she is the governor of South Dakota, and any formal impeachment or removal would be a separate, state-level matter.
This episode highlights growing national debate over immigration enforcement tactics, congressional funding leverage and the political consequences of high-profile enforcement incidents in local communities.
