Democratic Anti-ICE Rhetoric Blamed for Dallas Facility Shooting Amid Intensified Political Conflict

President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Democratic politicians for their rhetoric against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), defending the agency amid a spike in attacks on its agents and facilities. Trump condemned Democratic Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett's comparison of ICE to "slave patrols," labeling it an extreme and unfounded accusation, and described Democrats as "radical left lunatics" whose policies are unacceptable. The Department of Homeland Security reported a more than 1000% increase in assaults on ICE agents, including a deadly shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas, where the shooter’s ammunition was engraved with anti-ICE messages. Trump and DHS officials have called on Democrats to tone down their rhetoric, warning that inflammatory language contributes to violence and endangers agents, detainees, and the public. Democrats, however, continue to criticize ICE's operations, accusing agents of reckless enforcement and civil rights violations, with some using anti-ICE protests for political gain despite the recent violence. This escalating rhetoric and violence highlight the deep partisan divide over immigration enforcement and the challenges of balancing security with community concerns.