DHS Rebuts David Trone’s Claim That ICE Is ‘Executing People’ Near Hagerstown — Agency Defends Planned Detention Sites

Department of Homeland Security officials pushed back after Democratic businessman and former Rep. David Trone posted a snowy video outside a planned facility near Hagerstown, Maryland, accusing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of "literally executing people on the streets." Trone, who co-founded Total Wine & More and is challenging Rep. April McClain-Delaney in the Democratic primary for Maryland’s 6th District, said the area did not need "another ICE prison."

A DHS official told Fox News Digital that the department has purchased land in the Hagerstown area and stressed the site will be used for structured detention, not mere warehousing. "These will be very well-structured detention facilities meeting our regular detention standards," the official said, adding that ICE routinely conducts law-enforcement activity nationwide and is expanding detention capacity to support those operations.

Total Wine co-founder David Trone is running for his old congressional seat in the Maryland panhandle.(Getty Images)

Trone: "Since day one, ICE has been taking prisoners, literally executing people on the streets — not just Minneapolis… all over the United States."

DHS official: "Every day, DHS is conducting law enforcement activities across the country to keep Americans safe. It should not come as news that ICE will be making arrests in states across the U.S. and is actively working to expand detention space."

The official cited recent local arrests to justify the agency’s activity in Washington County, naming detainees who were reportedly captured in the area: Jose Antonio Rodas-Ortes (alleged sex-offense charges), Mohamed Bah (alleged aggravated assault with a firearm, cocaine-related charges, assault and illegal weapons possession) and Allan Garcia-Pinto (prior drug-trafficking conviction). The department also recently purchased a large property in Shartlesville, Pennsylvania, near I-78, as part of broader real-estate moves; one acquisition was reported at about $102 million.

Trone, originally from East Berlin, Pennsylvania, returned to Maryland politics after stepping down from the 6th District seat to run unsuccessfully for Senate. He is attempting to regain the seat in a primary against incumbent Rep. April McClain-Delaney. The district has shifted with redistricting and remains competitive despite a Democratic lean, encompassing conservative rural counties as well as more liberal suburban areas.

Del. Neil Parrott, left., former Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., right.

Local Republicans criticized Trone’s rhetoric. Former state Del. Neil Parrott described the comments as "very disappointing," arguing they do not reflect the district’s mixed geography, while Republican candidates and observers pointed to recent safety concerns and questioned the tone of the Democratic primary contest.

Trone has previously said opposition to former President Donald Trump will be a central theme of his campaign, calling Trump and allies’ actions an "assault on democracy" in remarks to Politico. Rep. McClain-Delaney has responded by comparing Trone’s tone to that of Trump and has suggested he should not assume she will yield the seat.

Fox News Digital reached out to the campaigns of Trone, McClain-Delaney and declared candidate Chris Burnett for comment. The exchange underscores tensions in the race over immigration enforcement, detention capacity and political rhetoric ahead of the primary.