Pelosi calls for arresting ICE agents, Trump administration fires back

Former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s feedback calling for the arrest of federal ICE brokers drew fiery criticism and a warning letter from the Trump administration on Friday.

Rep. Pelosi, D-Calif., mentioned in a press release earlier this week that native police “might arrest federal brokers in the event that they violate California legislation.”

“And if they’re convicted, the president can’t pardon them,” mentioned Pelosi and Rep. Kevin Mullin said in a joint statement.

Rep. Pelosi’s warning is a part of a rising effort amongst Democrats to problem federal immigration enforcement because the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown.

Deputy Legal professional Normal Todd Blanche pushed again. He mentioned native officers should not have the authority to detain federal officers finishing up their duties.

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Rep. Nancy Pelosi speaks throughout a rally at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on October 9, because the federal authorities shutdown entered its ninth day. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Photographs)

“You may’t contact federal brokers whereas they’re doing their job,” Blanche mentioned on Fox & Mates on Friday.

“That is one thing they know. It is one thing we reminded them of final evening as a result of when you try this, you are committing a criminal offense.”

Blanche was referring to a letter he despatched Thursday to high officers in California, together with Pelosi and Gov. Gavin Newsom, warning them to not intervene with federal legislation enforcement operations. The letter mentioned arresting federal brokers whereas on official duties is “unlawful and futile.”

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Pelosi’s feedback observe comparable criticism of ICE operations from different Democratic leaders, together with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

“In case you are an ICE agent and you might be doing these items, we consider you have to be held accountable. And but nobody in Washington, nobody above them, no regulator, no inspector common is holding anybody accountable,” Pritzker mentioned Thursday within the “Particular Report.”

“There have actually been no suspensions or firings due to the horrible issues they’ve accomplished,” he added.

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Blanche mentioned Pelosi and Pritzker’s feedback undermine the administration’s mission to make the nation safer.

“What the congressman did yesterday, what the governor of Illinois mentioned yesterday, does nothing however hurt this nation,” Blanche mentioned.

Pritzker additionally accused ICE brokers of racial profiling as a substitute of specializing in eradicating violent criminals.

Todd Blanche, nominee for U.S. Deputy Legal professional Normal, testifies earlier than the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 12 in Washington, DC. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photographs)

Blanche rejected that declare, defending the company’s actions and calling the allegations “disgusting.”

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“Our legislation enforcement officers will not be violating the Structure,” Blanche mentioned.

“These false claims that our ICE brokers and our federal legislation enforcement are in some way racially profiling or doing the incorrect factor in the middle of doing their jobs. And courts have mentioned we’re proper, and the Democrats are incorrect.”