ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan Resigns to Run for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District

Madison Sheahan, the deputy director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), announced Thursday that she is resigning from her post to run for Congress in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.

Background

Sheahan, a close ally of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and a former political director to Noem when she was governor of South Dakota, became one of ICE’s most visible officials while the agency implemented the Trump administration’s deportation policies. After joining ICE in March of last year, she quickly rose to influence and led a large hiring push at the agency.

Leadership Change

Noem praised Sheahan in a statement, calling her a “workhorse, strong executor, and terrific leader.” In a post on X, Noem announced that Charles Wall — who has served as ICE’s Principal Legal Advisor — will be the department’s new deputy director.

“I’ve known her for years, she loves her family, Ohio and her country,” Noem said. “She will be a great defender of freedom when she goes to Congress.”

Controversy And Context

The agency where Sheahan served as second-in-command has faced intense scrutiny for aggressive tactics used during immigration operations nationwide. Protests intensified after the fatal shooting last week of ICE officer Renee Nicole Goodby, an incident that prompted President Trump to warn he might invoke the Insurrection Act.

Sheahan expressed gratitude to Noem and to Trump in an email to staff obtained by CNN, writing: “It has been a privilege to fight for you and with you in service to our great nation.” Her relatively limited law enforcement experience drew criticism from some officials inside and outside ICE.

Political Bid

Sheahan, 28, who grew up in Ohio and attended Ohio State University, is running for the seat long held by Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur since 1983. Ohio’s 9th District is one of just 13 districts that President Trump won in 2024 but that remain represented by Democrats in Congress.

In a campaign video announcing her run, Sheahan described herself as a “Trump conservative” and said she is “tired of watching my hard-working family, friends and neighbors pay more and get ignored.” She added, “Real change means real leadership, and I’ve done it before.”

Before joining ICE, Sheahan most recently served as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Earlier this year, she drew criticism when emails she sent to local deputies encouraged them to apply for jobs at ICE.

This story has been updated with additional details.