[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4221-S4222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                  Immigration and Customs Enforcement

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, on Monday, we saw yet another example 
of what has become disturbingly common, and that is an act of far-left 
terrorism. Outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, a man poured 
gasoline on the entrance, set it ablaze, and tossed fireworks into the 
raging flames.
  Thankfully, law enforcement responded swiftly to apprehend the 
suspect, who was armed with two axes, a hammer, a machete, and three 
knives, but not before he injured four innocent people.
  Authorities believe the attack was motivated by the suspect's hatred 
of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Federal building he 
targeted is home to New York's ICE field office and other Department of 
Homeland Security offices. Before the attack, he allegedly pushed a 
cart with a sign reading ``ICE Off Our Streets'' and made anti-ICE 
statements.
  This attack did not come out of nowhere. It follows a monthslong 
campaign by Democrats to demonize ICE and our brave Federal law 
enforcement officers who are simply doing their job. They have likened 
them to ``secret police,'' the Nazi Gestapo, the Soviet

[[Page S4222]]

KGB, and ``slave patrols.'' They have called them a ``clear and present 
danger,'' a ``reign of terror,'' and ``nondescript thugs.'' They have 
accused them of ``mayhem and death,'' ``terror and violence,'' and 
``scar[ing] the American public.''
  These are not statements from fringe figures. This is what is so 
astounding. These are statements from prominent Governors, Senators, 
and lawmakers calling our Federal law enforcement and ICE these names. 
The vilification of Federal law enforcement is now central to the 
Democrats' identity and their messaging.
  Look at the proposals by the Democrat Socialists of America. They 
would do away with ICE. They believe that by attacking our officers, 
they can get at President Trump. And in reality, what they are doing is 
putting a target on the officers' backs.
  I have to admit that I was surprised when New York's far-left 
socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani called Monday's attack ``deeply 
disturbing.'' In many ways, he has led the attack on ICE. He has called 
ICE a ``cruel agency that does nothing to further the interests of 
public safety'' and ``too rotten to reform.'' He claimed that they are 
``terrorizing people'' and should be abolished. He even signed an order 
to block ICE officers from arresting criminal--criminal--illegal aliens 
in schools, shelters, and hospitals.
  While Democrats bow to their radical base, Republicans are continuing 
to stand for the rule of law. Under President Trump's leadership, we 
have focused on ensuring that our Federal law enforcement Agencies have 
all the resources they need to do their jobs.
  It is why we passed the Secure America Act. That is a landmark law 
that will fund ICE and Border Patrol through the end of President 
Trump's term. That way, Federal law enforcement officers can continue 
to track down the violent criminal illegal aliens that Joe Biden 
brought into this country through that porous southern border.
  It is important to remember that every single Democrat voted against 
the law. Every single one voted against funding ICE and Border Patrol.
  Whenever they have the chance, they put illegal aliens in front of 
American citizens. They keep working overtime to try to make illegal 
legal.
  They want to return to Biden's open border. But as long as 
Republicans are in charge, that will never happen.
  I yield the floor.