Minnesota’s Democratic Leadership Undermines Federal Immigration Efforts, Former ICE Official Alarms

Former ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan warned Friday that Minnesota’s Democratic leadership is escalating tensions and endangering federal officers through inflammatory rhetoric.

Sheahan also asserted that public calls for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to exit Minneapolis are inciting chaos rather than restoring order. Speaking on Newsmax’s “Finnerty,” she criticized Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s claim that ICE operations’ cessation would bring calm.

“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, or in Florida, or 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.”

Sheahan stated that ICE officers are being targeted for enforcing federal law while state and local leaders undermine 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.”

Guest host Bob Brooks noted reports suggesting President Donald Trump was concerned about public perception of ICE enforcement. Sheahan rejected the claim, emphasizing Trump’s consistent support for law enforcement: “President Trump has been so incredibly supportive of our ICE officers. 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 contrasted this with Democrat officials who criticize ICE publicly, stating that such opposition is why she stepped down from her role as ICE deputy director Thursday to launch a Republican primary campaign in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District. “That’s exactly why I’m running for Congress,” she said.