James Comer slams Dems while praising ICE at airports, claims they want to 'disrupt the economy'

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY: Rep. James Comer expressed strong support for the Trump administration’s deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to US airports, noting that one of its benefits is that “it’ll drive Democrats crazy.”

Comer’s comments came amid a partial government shutdown that has left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers working without pay and led to staffing shortages at airports.

James Comer’s support for ICE at airports

Comer endorsed President Donald Trump’s decision to send ICE agents to airports around the country, arguing that the move will incense Democrats. Comer made the remarks during an appearance on Fox Business, saying the president’s decision was necessary because of the current staffing issues at the TSA.

The deployment is occurring against the backdrop of a partial government shutdown affecting the DHS that has left TSA employees working without pay. Reports show that more than 400 TSA officers have quit since the shutdown began, creating operational strain at airport security.

Comer claimed “It’s terrible what the Democrats have done, The truth of the matter is, the Democrats want to disrupt the economy as much as they can because they know the number one issue in the election is the economy."

Comer further said, "So, the Democrats, who have always tried to hold themselves as the best representative party for the federal employees, they don’t care.” 

He continued defending the decision, “I’m glad the president’s putting ICE in there for a multitude of reasons. That’ll drive the Democrats crazy, but at the end of the day, somebody’s got to step up and ensure that our air travel continues, or you are going to see further damage to our economy, which again, in my opinion, is what the Democrats want.”

ICE deployment, funding standoff, and political controversy

The deployment of ICE officers to airports has so far done little to ease lengthy security lines, as passengers continue to face long waits without clear evidence that the agents are reducing congestion or performing traditional screening duties.

Videos shared on social media show ICE officers lingering at airports around the country, often with no obvious role, leaving many observers unsure of what the agents were actually assigned to do.

Meanwhile, Congressional Democrats have proposed funding for Department of Homeland Security agencies like the TSA but have refused to provide additional funding for ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), whose agents have been carrying out extensive immigration raids nationwide.

In January, federal immigration agents were involved in fatal shootings of US citizens in Minneapolis, adding to the controversy surrounding ICE operations and intensifying criticism of the agency’s activities.

Trump has stated that he will not agree to a DHS funding deal unless Democrats support the “SAVE America Act,” a bill Democrats have criticized as creating unnecessary barriers to voting. Senate Majority Leader John Thune described Trump’s demands as “unrealistic” and suggested he is open to excluding immigration enforcement funding from DHS appropriations.