Fox News' Laura Ingraham Claims Calling ICE Agents 'Thugs' is Almost Illegal

On Thursday night, Fox News host Laura Ingraham stated that it could be borderline illegal for Democratic lawmakers to describe Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers as thugs. She criticized such statements as beyond irresponsible and emphasized that there must be accountability for comments that, in her view, endanger officers safety.

During an interview with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan, Ingraham addressed remarks made by Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia (D-IL) earlier in the week. On the House floor, Garcia referred to ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents as masked thugs and accused them of detaining parents on their way to work, kidnapping U.S. citizens, and using tear gas against people.

Garcia has previously criticized large-scale deportation operations, calling them declarations of war on American cities. After a 2023 ICE operation in Chicago, he said that masked agents detaining parents, children, and workers did not contribute to public safety. Following another incident involving border patrol agents detaining members of a Chicago aldermans staff, Garcia reiterated on social media that those involved should be held accountable.

Ingraham argued that Democratic criticism of ICE is politically motivated. She suggested that lawmakers comments put agents in danger, and she called for potential legal consequences. Noem supported Ingrahams position, describing Garcias statements as blatant lies and unprecedented in portraying ICE officers in a negative light. She also claimed that violence against ICE agents has dramatically increased.

Ingraham concluded that accountability is essential, warning that without it, agents lives could continue to be at risk. She cited previous incidents where officers were fired upon as evidence of the stakes involved.

Meanwhile, recent statistics indicate that the majority of immigrants arrested in high-profile city operations in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., did not have criminal records. In Chicago, two-thirds of those detained had no prior charges, and in Washington, D.C., 84 percent had no criminal history. Reports also show that some American citizens were detained, assaulted, or held for days during these operations.

Amid the Trump administrations intensified immigration enforcement campaigns, public opinion has shown growing dissatisfaction. Recent polls indicate that ICEs approval rating is low, with one survey reporting only 34 percent support and another showing that most Americans disapprove of the agencys actions.

Author: Riley Thompson