Democratic governors from New York and Illinois challenged threats from the Trump administration’s immigration team, daring former acting ICE director Tom Homan to arrest them over disagreements on immigration policy enforcement.
Why it matters:
This Article Includes
During a lengthy congressional hearing on Thursday, three Democratic governors criticized the Trump administration’s immigration strategies and handling of protests, calling them undemocratic. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers pressed the governors on how their states enforce immigration laws.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker both voiced concern over Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles, arguing it weakened local law enforcement efforts.
What they’re saying:
“If Tom Homan comes to Albany to arrest me, I’ll say go for it,” Hochul declared.
“Anything threatening our responsibility is an assault on our democracy,” she added.
Pritzker echoed the defiance:
“I have the highest duty to protect the people of my state, and indeed, if Tom Homan were to come to try to arrest us—me, rather—I can say first of all that he can try.”
“I can also tell you that I will stand in the way of Tom Homan going after people who don’t deserve to be frightened in their communities,” he continued.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz added his voice to the pushback, saying,
“Threatening arrest on elected officials, congressman, it doesn’t help any of us.”
Context:
The comments come just days after Donald Trump suggested that California Governor Gavin Newsom should be arrested amid growing tension over protests tied to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in Los Angeles.
Tom Homan, a former acting ICE director, has previously said he wouldn’t rule out arresting Democratic leaders who obstruct immigration enforcement or harbor undocumented immigrants.
In a related case, Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan was charged by the FBI last month for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest. She has pleaded not guilty.
State of play:
Republican lawmakers at the hearing accused Democratic-led sanctuary states of enabling violent crime.
In response, the governors defended their policies, pointing to declining crime rates in their states and noting that they cooperate with ICE in criminal investigations.
