On July 2, 2025, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a “terrorist force” in a social media post, prompting a sharp response from Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. Lyons condemned Jayapal’s statement, demanding an apology to voters and highlighting her past defense of an Antifa member who attempted to bomb an ICE facility in Washington in 2019. He accused her of hypocrisy, noting a 690% surge in assaults against ICE officers and federal agents compared to the previous year, partly attributing this to inflammatory rhetoric like Jayapal’s. Lyons stated, “Never in a million years did I think I would witness a sitting member of Congress prioritize regard for violent criminals over the law enforcement officers protecting her community.”
Jayapal defended her comment, asserting that the White House owes an apology to U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and others swept up by ICE, including those with no criminal history. She claimed the agency’s actions, such as detaining people with long-term U.S. residency, justify her stance. The controversy has sparked polarized reactions, with some X posts, like those from @lw_usafretired and @GrammaToody, calling Jayapal’s remarks unacceptable and demanding accountability, while others reflect ongoing tensions over ICE’s enforcement practices under the Trump administration.