Democrats challenge Trump on immigration enforcement

Democratic state leaders are pushing back against the Trump administration's policies and threats this week. The big picture: As protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids escalate nationwide, particularly in California, lawmakers are seizing the moment to challenge the administration's bluff about not cooperating with Trump's enforcement policies.Trump and members of his administration have threatened to arrest any government officials who stand in the way of the president's policies, especially when it comes to immigration. The president's border czar Tom Homan said he wouldn't rule out arresting Democratic officials who impede law enforcement or harbor undocumented immigrants.California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) dared Homan to do so, and Trump suggested the governor indeed be arrested amid an escalating feud.Yes, but: Arrests aren't the only concern facing Democrats.In the latest flareup, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was physically removed from a Los Angeles press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday as he said he tried to ask a question.Padilla's encounter follows another between three House Democrats from New Jersey and ICE agents last month, which ultimately resulted in the indictment of Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.)McIver is charged with three counts of "forcibly impeding and interfering with federal law enforcement officers." The New Jersey Rep. said she plans to plead not guilty and called the charges a "brazen attempt at political intimidation."State of play: President Trump has doubled down on his sweeping immigration crackdown, deploying 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines to California this week amid fiery demonstrations against federal immigration raids.Newsom, along with other Democratic city and state leaders, have fiercely opposed the military's deployment to quell protesters. Still, Trump has sent troops into the state. Meanwhile, Trump vowed that protests responding to his multimillion-dollar military parade in D.C. this weekend will be met with "very big force."Zoom in: Democratic lawmakers have for months been challenging the administration's policies — on everything from immigration to tariffs. A coalition of 20 Democratic attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the administration last month over threats to withhold billions of dollars in federal funding if they don't follow his immigration enforcement polices.This week, the focus has been on the administration's hardline immigration policies.During an hours-long congressional hearing Thursday, three governors cast the administration's immigration policies and response to protests as undemocratic while Republican lawmakers grilled them on state-level enforcement.New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Homan could "try" to arrest them over their disconnects on the issue.Zoom out: Congresspeople are not the only ones challenging the administration, with a battle at play between the executive and judiciary.Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan, who was charged in April by the FBI with allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest, has painted her case as a broader defense of the judiciary's independence from the Trump administration.Meanwhile, LA Mayor Karen Bass and other Democratic regional leaders at a Wednesday briefing called for the ICE raids to end, as demonstrations continued across the country.What we're watching: More protests are planned for this weekend, with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowing to deploy the National Guard across the Lone Star State ahead of Saturday's "No Kings"demonstrations being held across the nation to counter Trump's D.C. parade.Go deeper: Trump says he'd arrest Gov. Newsom

Comments

World news

China criticizes Israeli strikes on Iran, warns of 'potential grave consequences'

washington times

Comments

Similar News

Washington erupts after agents handcuff Democratic Senator at DHS Secretary press conference

Scoop: Democratic Rep. Jared Golden breaks with party on McIver and Padilla incidents

Democrat berates Republican on House floor over Padilla incident

"We're all concerned": Democrats' fears of Trump admin violence erupt after Padilla incident

Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla handcuffed and forcibly removed from Kristi Noem’s immigration press conference

Democrats say an emphatic ‘No!’ to taking Elon Musk’s money in the future

Democrat John Fetterman spotted dining with Trump strategist Bannon at MAGA hotspot ...on the senator’s wedding anniversary

Republicans to grill Hochul, Walz and Pritzker on immigration in Democratic govs hearing: Live updates

Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver indicted, potentially faces 17 years in prison

Incensed House Democrats plan 2027 war with Trump over ICE funding

Democrats Should Welcome Trump’s Iran Diplomacy

Democrats have a dirty secret - they actually like some of the tax cuts in Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’

Democrats fume about "f***ed up" GOP measure denouncing Boulder attack

Chabria: Democrats are busy bashing themselves. Is it needed, or just needy?

Trump-Musk feud live updates: President threatens Tesla boss with ‘serious consequences’ if he funds Democrats

Trump says Musk could face ‘serious consequences’ if he backs Democrats

Trump warns Musk of ‘very serious consequences’ if he backs Democrats

"He's a lunatic": Democrats shut down idea of Musk alliance after break with Trump

Mike Johnson gives Democrats extra Intel Committee seat to get Stefanik back on

"He's a lunatic": Democrats shut down idea of Musk alliance after break with Trump

World news

China criticizes Israeli strikes on Iran, warns of 'potential grave consequences'

Air raid sirens sound across Israel following an Iranian missile attack on the country

North Korea relaunches repaired destroyer, represents Kim's geopolitical ambitions

Cornered Iran faces humiliation or war as leadership left on brink by Israeli strikes

'I missed the Air India flight that crashed by 10 minutes - this is what saved my life'

Greta Thunberg ditches climate action to become fame-obsessed bigot

'I survived plane crash in same 11A seat as Brit survivor of Air India disaster’

Signalgate changed Pete Hegseth — texting scandal made him angrier, paranoid and paralyzed by fear: report

Migrants upset by quality of meals rebel inside NJ detention facility and four escape amid massive police response

‘Shoot a couple, the rest will go home’: Far-right groups are sharing scary messages ahead of ‘No Kings’ protests

Tourist shatters priceless Van Gogh chair by sitting on it

‘They took our son’s body’: Victims’ families seek answers at Air India crash site

Ideology Is the Key to Understanding Trump’s Foreign Policy

What in the World?

Will the US get drawn into the Israel-Iran war?

Families endure agonising wait for Air India crash victims' bodies

Iran claims it has downed at least two Israeli jets - as it fires missiles in response to Friday's attacks

Two children orphaned after Air India plane crash kills dad scattering mum's ashes

'Cause of death' of Brit mum, 28, whose heart was removed after dying on holiday

Air India footage shows 'mystery object flying off plane' seconds before crash

Edmonton psychic shared predictions of Stanley Cup final

Ontario MPPs could soon perform weddings. Here’s the bill that makes it possible

U.S. court pauses order for Trump to return California National Guard

N.S. government says new rules for mining projects will speed up approvals

Oh, deer: West Winnipeg residents warned of aggressive animal

Former Nova Scotia Scoutmaster charged with sex assaults dating back 5 decades

Longtime Maple Leafs voice Bowen to retire

Manitoba communities prepare to return home after wildfires displaced thousands

Trump admin refuses to release Mahmoud Khalil, despite judge's order

Iran launches major retaliatory strike on Israel

Canada Post unveils 1st of 3 new stamps coming later this month

Wildfire near two Ontario First Nations ‘like a sleeping giant’ for now, MPP says

Indian authorities begin investigating Air India crash in which 1 passenger survived

Israel’s next target is Fordo, a nuclear site hidden in a mountain.

Israel’s Strikes on Iran Divide Congress, Drawing Praise and Concern

Much of Iran’s Nuclear Program Remains, at Least for Now

In L.A.’s Little Tokyo, Protests Draw Sympathy and Frustration

Lives Lost in India Crash: Expectant Grandparents, a Boy Selling Tea

At a Weak Moment, Iran Weighs Difficult Options to Respond to Israel

Earthquakes damage centuries-old monasteries in a secluded religious community in Greece

Putin's general calls for massive mobilisation as he declares 'WW3 has already started'

Holocaust denier caught living double life in Scotland back on trial

Oil prices jump after Israel’s attack on Iran and it could lead to higher gas costs

Alleged child sex abuse victim of Gateway Church founder Robert Morris sues him for defamation

This city is the worst for bed bugs in the US

The euro will get a new member next year – and not everyone is pleased

Here’s where the national mental health hotline is used the most

Pope Leo’s changes to the papal wardrobe considered a ‘return to form’

ICE protests descend into mashup of left-wing rally cries as Gaza and police brutality chants drown out immigration

US citizen blasts ICE after being detained as he drove to work: ‘They’re the criminals’

Trump warns Iran ‘make nuclear deal or face slaughter’ as fears of all-out Middle East war grow

Ukraine repatriates more bodies of fallen soldiers in agreement with Russia

Kenyan police officer in charge of cell where blogger died arrested after protests

Hockey Canada trial: Fear, not consent, drove woman's actions, Crown says

Iran’s Options for Retaliating Against Israel Have Narrowed

The Chosen season 5 cast, filming locations and episode guide

I was a Sabrina Carpenter fan. Until I saw her new album cover