Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is facing intense bipartisan criticism after publicly saying he would "hunt down" Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and calling them "a small bunch of wannabe Nazis." The comments, made at a public event in Penn Square, have prompted Republican lawmakers to urge the U.S. Department of Justice to consider a criminal inquiry and drawn rebukes from elected officials across the political spectrum.
What Krasner Said
At the podium, Krasner denounced ICE agents and vowed that if necessary his office would pursue their identities and work with other prosecutors to hold them accountable. He framed the remark by referencing historical efforts to find and prosecute Nazi perpetrators.
Calls For Investigation
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) publicly demanded the Justice Department examine Krasner’s remarks, citing federal statutes that make threatening a federal officer a felony. "The DOJ should absolutely arrest and convict this guy," Steube said, urging federal prosecutors to review the statements.
Political Reactions
Krasner’s comments drew criticism from both parties. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) described the remarks as "unacceptable" and "abhorrent." DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the language "vile," accused Krasner of stoking division for political gain, and pointed to what the Department has reported as a sharp increase in assaults against ICE personnel.
Republican members of Pennsylvania’s congressional and state delegations echoed calls for accountability and stressed the authority of federal immigration officials under the Constitution’s supremacy clause. State Sen. Doug Mastriano and Senate committee chair Jarrett Coleman dismissed the threats as legally hollow and warned of consequences if local officials obstruct federal law-enforcement operations.
Context And Contention
Supporters of aggressive local prosecution policies and some progressive city leaders have pushed measures to limit ICE operations within Philadelphia. At the same time, critics pointed to Krasner’s office statistics — including a reported prosecution rate for violent crimes cited by opponents — and to past outside funding: reporting indicates financier George Soros contributed to Krasner’s 2017 campaign.
What Officials Said About Public Safety
DHS officials highlighted several convicted noncitizens removed from the Delaware Valley as examples of enforcement activity they say protects public safety. Krasner’s critics argue his rhetoric endangers federal officers and raises tensions in an already polarized debate over immigration enforcement and local prosecutorial discretion.
"Calling law enforcement Nazis and encouraging violence and doxing of them is absolutely disgusting," said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "The violence and dehumanization of these men and women who are simply enforcing the law must stop."
Next Steps
Fox News Digital and others sought comment from the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. At the time of publication, DHS responded through spokespersons while DOJ had not announced any action in response to congressional requests for a probe.
Why This Matters
The episode spotlights ongoing tensions between some local prosecutors and federal immigration authorities, raises questions about the line between political rhetoric and potential threats to federal officers, and underscores broader debates over public safety, prosecutorial priorities, and the limits of local authority to challenge federal operations.
