A House Homeland Security Committee hearing erupted into a fierce confrontation Tuesday, as Democratic lawmakers leveled accusations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), drawing stark historical parallels to the Nazi regime and the Gestapo. The volatile exchange centered on ICE’s enforcement tactics and a perceived lack of accountability, escalating rapidly as the agency’s acting director faced intense scrutiny.
The questioning ignited when Representative Dan Goldman, of New York, challenged ICE acting director Todd Lyons regarding reports of agents demanding proof of U.S. citizenship from individuals on the streets. Goldman pressed Lyons on whether such actions mirrored those employed by oppressive regimes throughout history, directly asking if Nazi Germany fell into that category.
Lyons vehemently defended the agency, dismissing the comparison as inappropriate and a misdirection of inquiry. His frustration boiled over, leading him to sharply retort that anyone seeking examples of Nazism should visit the Holocaust Museum. The tension in the room was palpable as the debate intensified.
Goldman countered, accusing ICE leadership of fundamentally misunderstanding the source of public criticism. He argued that the agency’s own actions were fueling the accusations, stating that their tactics were “un-American and outright fascist.” He issued a direct challenge: cease behaving like a “fascist regime or secret police” if they wished to avoid being labeled as such.
Lyons had earlier testified that ICE agents were already being unfairly characterized as “Gestapo or secret police” by elected officials and activists. He linked this rhetoric to a disturbing surge in threats and physical assaults against ICE personnel and their families, highlighting the real-world danger faced by those carrying out their duties.
The historical comparisons weren’t limited to Goldman’s questioning. Representative Bennie Thompson, of Mississippi, referenced an individual involved in federal immigration operations in Minnesota who had allegedly presented himself in Nazi attire, further fueling the contentious atmosphere.
The hearing’s broader focus was oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and its immigration enforcement agencies, particularly in light of recent incidents. Lawmakers expressed deep concern over the limited use of body cameras by ICE agents, especially following the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last month.
Concerns were raised about agents operating while masked or in unmarked gear, the adequacy of documentation when encounters involve U.S. citizens, and the impact of the lack of body-camera footage on transparency and accountability in use-of-force situations. The absence of clear visual records was seen as a significant impediment to understanding the events surrounding these incidents.
Under persistent questioning, Lyons acknowledged that only a small percentage of ICE agents are currently equipped with body cameras. Lawmakers urged the agency to dramatically expand their use and to release existing footage to the public, demanding greater openness and accountability in their operations.
