San Diego Councilman Declares War on ICE, Labels Agents “Terrorists”
San Diego Councilman’s Inflammatory Remarks
San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera ignited a firestorm of controversy after posting an Instagram story featuring ICE agents with the word “Terrorists” prominently displayed across the image. The Democratic official included the song “Bulls On Parade” by Rage Against the Machine alongside the inflammatory post, further characterizing ICE operations as “state-sponsored terrorism” targeting parents, workers, and law-abiding residents.
Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin brought national attention to the councilman’s social media outburst, prompting Elo-Rivera to double down rather than retract his comments. In subsequent posts, the councilman escalated his rhetoric, referring to ICE agents as “jackbooted thugs” and “criminals” while claiming they conduct raids under false pretenses of public safety.
White House Response and ICE Defense
The White House swiftly condemned Elo-Rivera’s comments, with advisor Stephen Miller stating, “We are living in the age of leftwing domestic terrorism. They are openly encouraging violence against law enforcement to aid and abet the invasion of America.”
An ICE spokesperson called the councilman’s comparison “sickening,” emphasizing that such rhetoric potentially endangers the lives of federal agents performing their duties. ICE officials pointed to Department of Homeland Security data showing that the individuals targeted in enforcement operations typically have serious criminal charges or convictions, directly contradicting Elo-Rivera’s characterization.
The controversy emerges amid reports of increasing hostility toward immigration enforcement personnel, particularly in sanctuary jurisdictions. Patricia Hyde, who leads ICE operations in Boston, recently noted, “I think the lack of cooperation is getting worse and worse, and it’s putting law enforcement lives in danger.”
Federal immigration authorities report a troubling rise in assaults against their officers, attributing this trend partly to inflammatory rhetoric from elected officials in sanctuary cities. Despite facing significant backlash from federal officials and concerned citizens, Elo-Rivera has shown no signs of walking back his statements, instead attempting to justify his position by referencing Cornell Law School’s writings on the lack of a universal definition for terrorism.
Recent ICE operations in San Diego have generated significant local protests, with videos showing residents chanting “shame” at agents during enforcement activities. The heated confrontations highlight the deep divisions within communities regarding immigration policy and enforcement, with federal authorities maintaining that their primary targets are individuals with criminal histories rather than law-abiding immigrants.
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