Florida Man Arrested Over Threat Surge Against ICE Officers

Joseph Giancola, a Florida man, was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations agents for posting multiple violent death threats online against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers under the alias "Cain Delon" on the social media platform Bluesky. His messages included calls to "shoot the ICE Nazis down" and other threats to kill ICE agents, amid a reported 8,000% surge in death threats and a 1,000% increase in assaults against ICE officers in recent months. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned Giancola's actions as cowardly and highlighted the unprecedented level of violence and threats ICE personnel face, including threats to their families and doxxing. DHS officials also warned that inflammatory rhetoric from some politicians and media comparing ICE agents to Nazis has fueled hostility and urged the public to report threats. Federal prosecutors plan to charge Giancola with making interstate threats, emphasizing the commitment to holding individuals who threaten law enforcement accountable. The arrest reflects the broader context of heightened tensions surrounding ICE enforcement activities under the Trump administration.