Republicans Investigate Nashville Mayor Over ICE Arrest Response

House Republicans have launched investigations into Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations that led to nearly 200 arrests in the city, with critics alleging that his policies may have hindered federal immigration enforcement. The probes focus on O’Connell’s transparency directive requiring city employees to report interactions with federal immigration authorities and his promotion of a fund supporting families affected by the raids. Republican lawmakers claim these actions could constitute obstruction, while O’Connell maintains that Nashville complies with state law and is not a sanctuary city. Immigrant advocacy groups and some legal experts argue the mayor acted within the law, emphasizing the trauma the ICE activity caused in immigrant communities and raising concerns about due process. The controversy intensified after the accidental public posting of federal agent names, which O’Connell’s office later removed, citing a commitment to transparency. O’Connell denies any intent to impede law enforcement, while federal and state authorities continue to examine whether his actions crossed legal lines.