VIDEO: Blackburn Blasts Democrats’ War on ICE Following NYC Incendiary Device Attack

'On Monday, we saw yet another example of what has become disturbingly common.'

'Authorities believe the attack was motivated by the suspect's hatred of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.'

'This attack did not come out of nowhere. It follows a months-long campaign by Democrats to demonize ICE.'

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor condemning the recent attack outside of a New York immigration court by a suspect who had anti-ICE material on him. In her remarks, Senator Blackburn called out her Democrat colleagues for demonizing federal law enforcement and praised Republicans for standing up for ICE and CBP by passing the Secure America Act.

Click here to download Senator Blackburn's remarks.

REMARKS AS PREPARED

"On Monday, we saw yet another example of what has become disturbingly common: an act of far-left terrorism.

"Outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Office Building, a man poured gasoline on the entrance, set it ablaze, and tossed fireworks into the raging flames.

"Thankfully, law enforcement responded swiftly to apprehend the suspect, who was armed with two axes, a hammer, a machete, and three knives. But not before he injured four innocent people.

"Authorities believe the attack was motivated by the suspect's hatred of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The federal building he targeted is home to New York's ICE field office and other Department of Homeland Security offices."

"Before the attack, he allegedly pushed a cart with a sign reading, 'ICE Off Our Streets,' and made anti-ICE statements.

"This attack did not come out of nowhere. It follows a months-long campaign by Democrats to demonize ICE and our brave federal law enforcement officers for simply doing their jobs."

"They've likened them to 'secret police,' the Nazi Gestapo, the Soviet KGB, and 'slave patrols.' They've called them a 'a clear and present threat,' a 'reign of terror,' and 'nondescript thugs.' They've accused them of 'mayhem and death,' "terror and violence,' and 'scar[ing] the American public.'

"These are not statements from fringe figures. They're from prominent governors, senators, and lawmakers.

"The vilification of federal law enforcement is now central to Democrats' identity and messaging.

"They believe that by attacking our officers, they can get at President Trump. In reality, they are only putting a target on their backs."

"I have to admit that I was surprised when New York's far-left socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, called Monday's attack 'deeply disturbing.'

"In many ways, he has led the attack on ICE. He's called ICE a 'cruel agency that does nothing to further the interests of public safety' and 'too rotten to reform.' He claimed that they're 'terrorizing people' and should be abolished. He even signed an order to block ICE officers from arresting criminal illegal aliens in schools, shelters, and hospitals.

"While Democrats bow to their radical base, Republicans will continue to stand for the rule of law. Under President Trump's leadership, we have focused on ensuring our federal law enforcement agencies have all the resources they need to do their jobs.

"It's why we passed the Secure America Act, a landmark law that will fund ICE and CBP through the end of President Trump's second term.

"That way, federal law enforcement officers can continue to track down the violent criminal illegal aliens that Joe Biden brought into our country.

"It's important to remember that every single Democrat voted against this law. Whenever they have the chance, they put illegal aliens over American citizens. They want to make illegal legal. They want to return to Biden's open border. But as long as Republicans are in charge, that will never happen."

RELATED

• Blackburn Statement on Senate Passage of Secure America Act

https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2026/7/video-blackburn-blasts-democrats-war-on-ice-following-nyc-incendiary-device-attack