Ben & Jerry’s co‑founder calls for ICE to be 'defunded and disbanded', says 'this is not freedom'

BURLINGTON, VERMONT: Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be 'defunded and disbanded' following the second deadly shooting this month in Minneapolis involving federal immigration agents. He shared his reaction in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Cohen said, “This is not the right to free speech or the right to protest.” He argued that the situation does not represent 'freedom', criticizing how the Trump administration is treating people in Minnesota.

He was talking about Border Patrol agents who shot and killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti during immigration enforcement operations in the city.

Ben Cohen slams federal immigration agencies following recent deaths

Ben Cohen strongly criticized federal agents. He shared a video on X with the caption, "I planned to make an ice cream to memorialize and celebrate the life of Renee Good. But after the m*rder of Alex Pretti this weekend, I didn't have it within me to make ice cream."

"It's clear that the murders of Renee and Alex AND the government's lies were not a mistake, but standard operating procedure. ICE must be defunded and disbanded."

Cohen explained why he was unable to move forward with the planned tribute. "I was prepared to make a special ice cream today to memorialize and celebrate the life of Renee Good, but now that Alex’s m*rder makes it clear that the m*rder of Renee and the government’s lies were not a mistake but standard operating procedure, I just don’t have it within me," he said.

Cohen warned that the situation in Minneapolis could spread nationwide if left unchecked. "We all live in Minneapolis now, because Minneapolis is only the beginning of what they have in mind. They’re coming for anyone, anywhere who doesn’t submit," he continued. "A brazen, arrogant, masked militarized force loyal only to Trump and immune from prosecution."

"Submit or be m*rdered. Video them and be m*rdered. Protest and be m*rdered, or at least be placed on a list of domestic terrorists and investigated," he said. Cohen framed the issue as a direct assault on American values. "This is not freedom," he added.

"This is not the right to free speech or the right to protest. This is not America. This is sheer cruelty. This is the beginning of the end of the land of the free, unless we make it the home of the brave, unless we’re brave enough to stand up for justice, to stand up for our neighbors, to stand up for compassion."

He continued his criticism by directly targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "ICE must be defunded and disbanded," he said.

"Before 2001, ICE did not even exist. Immigration issues used to be handled by the INS, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which was part of the Department of Justice. And it was just." Cohen called for a return to that earlier system. "Let's go back to that," he added.

He ended by questioning the moral foundation of current immigration policies. "You know, I don't get it. They say this is a Christian nation. What did he mean when he said, 'I was a stranger, and you welcomed me?' 'Love thy neighbor.' 'What you do to the least of these you do to me,'" Cohen concluded.

White House denies claims of pullback on immigration enforcement in Minnesota

The situation in Minnesota remains unsettled as federal immigration enforcement continues to face scrutiny. A White House official told Fox News Digital that claims suggesting the Trump administration is 'backing down' in the state are inaccurate.

According to the official, the administration has not wavered from its goal of arresting and deporting illegal immigrants. The official said Trump is focused on preventing further violence and is seeking to work with state and local leaders to remove public safety threats.

The White House official added that recent changes reflect adjustments in leadership rather than any shift in policy or enforcement priorities.