What’s the real reason Democrats are fighting ICE? 

Last Sunday, the expected snow arrived with bitterly cold temperatures, a perfect day to unwind, watch movies, podcasts, Netflix, or news. Sadly, I watched the news, which was dominated by violent chaos on the streets of Minneapolis. 

All month, the city was the center of raging resistance to the officers of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). Weekly, we witnessed weaponized attacks on them, a beautiful city set upon by angry activists, the craziness of a misguided mob interrupting a church service, and fatal shootings of two protestors at the hands of law enforcement. 

The deaths of the young woman and man went viral, setting off more anger, drawing larger crowds to the city, and impelling the well-organized anti-ICE demonstrations nationwide, including in Bucks County and Philadelphia.   

Nothing, not even near-zero temps, could stop the rage directed at the ICE officers sent to Minneapolis to arrest and deport illegal immigrants with criminal records or outstanding warrants. Watching this unfold seemed unreal.

Surprisingly, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, stoked the fire, vocalizing their opposition to the Trump administration’s mission, demanding ICE leave the city, and encouraging people to “resist.” Walz was so incensed he called it a “war” with the feds. What are we seeing here: dangerous rhetoric or politics?  Meantime, nothing doused the flames or eased the fear of law-abiding citizens thrust into such ugliness. 

Minneapolis is one of several sanctuary cities that refused to cooperate with federal agents and barred their city or state police from assisting ICE. While not currently on the White House’s list of sanctuary counties, Bucks County’s Democratic leadership is not at all pro-ICE.       

Notably, the violence to property and federal agents reached new heights on Minneapolis after the most recent shooting death of demonstrator Alex Pretti. Mindful of the political consequences of this unsettled mess, the president reached out to the governor, made a change in leadership on the ground, and reassigned the “commander,” Gregory Bovino, to his old job on the California border. 

Last weekend, Trump dispatched experienced lawman and border czar Tom Homan to the beleaguered city to turn down the heat and ultimately resolve the problem. While speaking to the press Thursday, Homan seemed confident there would be a resolution to the matter of cooperation between local police and federal personnel. Frey is not entirely at the table, according to Homan, but more talks are underway, he said.  

This fight against ICE is rooted in raw politics and not only in Minnesota.  Trump made a pre-election promise to close the border and deport illegal criminal actors from this country. The protests in Minneapolis and other cities have the earmarks of a political strategy designed to hurt the president and Republicans running in mid-term elections.  Democratic leaders appear to be on the warring side.   

But Trump supporters point out opposition to the president and ICE also is fired up by certain radical groups and socialist billionaires who are part of one or more progressive, activist organizations currently under investigation, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice.  The DOJ said it’s investigating the funding sources for these activist groups linked to discord in “blue” cities and states.  

One national group describes itself as a grassroots progressive organization, but it has a vast network of activists, supporters, and subgroups with the ability to rally a mega-crowd within a few hours using its lists of willing participants, local leaders, cell phone numbers and “codes.”    

All the while, nothing is stopping the inflammatory rhetoric or easing the fear of law-abiding citizens thrust into such ugliness as in Minneapolis, or elsewhere. The nameless, trained street fighters are accompanied by naïve, uninformed men and women, young and old, unknowingly swept up in a sinister plot to undermine more than the current administration. While some may believe they’re saving our democracy, they’re instead making the radical, leftist dream come true. 

What can we do? In the timeless words of the late Democratic senator and House Speaker from Massachusetts, Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill Jr., “All politics is local,” meaning people are most influenced by issues directly affecting their lives; politicians prioritize local matters to win support.

If local, state and federal officials want your support, let them know we’ve had enough. And regardless of party, they would be wise to help put an end to these disgraceful, un-American episodes and work together to ensure border security and reform our outdated immigration laws.

Pat Wandling hosts Speak Your Piece weekdays at noon on WBCB 1490.