Democrat Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) is facing sharp criticism after appearing to suggest that Americans could be justified in shooting masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during enforcement operations.
Nadler made the remarks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, according to The New York Post.
The anti-Trump lawmaker was condemning federal immigration enforcement and describing ICE officers as “masked hoodlums.”
“What is really the major problem in this country today is the fascism in our streets,” Nadler said.
“The attacks on American citizens by masked hoodlums.
“If you were attacked by a masked person, you might think you were being kidnapped.
“You’d be justified in shooting the person — to protect yourself.”
Nadler went on to accuse ICE agents of engaging in widespread abuses, including warrantless home entries and violent arrests.
He continued by misrepresenting the circumstances of recent federal agent-involved fatal shootings.
Nadler appeared to suggest that anti-ICE agitator Renee Good was shot for simply “driving a car.”
However, Good was shot while ramming a federal agent with her vehicle, forcing him to open fire in self-defense.
“We see people being shot, for what? For driving a car?” Nadler deceitfully claimed.
“We see people — we see these …. ICE goons break into people’s homes without a warrant.
“We see them drag out a man, an American citizen in his underwear, without even permitting him, in the snow, without even permitting him to get dressed.”
WATCH:
Nadler did not provide evidence to support his allegations.
The comments immediately drew condemnation from senior Republican figures.
Nadler was accused of recklessly encouraging violence against federal law enforcement officers.
Vice President JD Vance called the remarks “despicable behavior from an elected official” in a post on X.
“Jerry Nadler is one of the highest ranking Democrats in the House of Representatives and he is openly calling for people to shoot federal law enforcement,” Vance wrote.
“This is despicable behavior from an elected official, and I’m sure the leftwing media will cover it extensively.”
Jerry Nadler is one of the highest ranking Democrats in the House of Representatives and he is openly calling for people to shoot federal law enforcement.
This is despicable behavior from an elected official and I'm sure the leftwing media will cover it extensively. https://t.co/hmbV43h43H
— JD Vance (@JDVance) February 3, 2026
Donald Trump Jr. echoed that assessment, accusing Democrats of inciting violence.
“This is demented,” Trump Jr. wrote on X.
“Democrats once again openly calling for violence!!!”
This is demented. Democrats once again openly calling for violence!!! https://t.co/FSKl9t0Hqy
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 3, 2026
Nadler’s remarks come amid heightened national tensions surrounding immigration enforcement.
Democrats, left-wing activists, and their corporate media allies are increasingly portraying ICE operations as illegitimate.
Meanwhile, Republican leaders warn that such rhetoric endangers federal officers carrying out lawful duties.
As of this report, Nadler has not issued a clarification or retraction of his statements.
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