Leavitt rebukes Larry Krasner's threat to arrest ICE agents deployed at US airports: ‘Disgraceful!’

WASHINGTON, DC: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner after he suggested potential legal action against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents stationed at US airports.

This exchange happened after federal authorities deployed ICE personnel to help with airport operations amid the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding standoff.

Larry Krasner threatens to arrest ICE agents

On Wednesday, March 25, Krasner threatened to arrest ICE agents deployed to the Philadelphia airports to help with security amid Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortages. 

“This is how it works. You commit crimes within the jurisdiction that is the city and county of Philadelphia; I prosecute you. I will put you in handcuffs. And if necessary, I will put you in jail cell," the Philadelphia District Attorney stated. 

“That is how it works. No, I don’t take a phone call from president saying, ‘Let them go.’ No, the president cannot pardon you,” he added during a Wednesday press conference.

ICE agents have been spotted this week at airports in Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York, Cleveland, Newark, N.J., Houston, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, New Orleans and San Juan, Puerto Rico among other places.

Dispute over the role of ICE agents at airports

Leavitt responded to Krasner's comments during a press briefing, calling his remarks “disgraceful” and defending ICE agents involved in airport duties.

“The president cannot pardon you for what? He's talking to the ICE agents who are handing out water bottles and are helping people move through lines at airports? It's a disgraceful comment!” she said.

During the briefing, Leavitt also dismissed Krasner’s warning and defended the role of ICE personnel. She said that agents were helping travelers and supporting federal operations.

She further questioned the reason behind the arrest threat, pointing out that the agents were involved in regular support activities at airports.

Krasner’s comments were linked to worries about federal enforcement actions in local areas. While there were no details about specific enforcement actions, the exchange highlighted the tensions between federal immigration authorities and local officials in some cities.

Karoline Leavitt praises ICE agents

The deployment of ICE agents was ordered as part of a broader federal response to disruptions linked to the Department of Homeland Security funding lapse. “The men and women of ICE are great people,” Leavitt said praising ICE.

“I would encourage [Krasner]… to actually sit down and speak with the ICE agents who are on the ground doing this important work, not just in our nation's airports, but again, to remove violent, dangerous, illegal alien criminals from our country to protect this individual and all of us in this room and Americans across the country," she stated.

Leavitt also made a connection to the political differences over immigration policy and funding from the federal government. 

She indicated that the administration’s concern is to ensure seamless operations at the airport and to assist the federal employees during the shutdown.