Tom Homan pleads with Dems to stop targeting ICE, Border Patrol: 'I don't wanna bury anybody else'

Tom Homan defended ICE and Border Patrol agents as 'patriots' who risk their lives for the country
During a press conference in San Diego, Tom Homan made the plea to politicians, governors and mayors 'who constantly attack these men and women' (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
During a press conference in San Diego, Tom Homan made the plea to politicians, governors and mayors 'who constantly attack these men and women' (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)


SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: White House border czar Tom Homan made an appeal in San Diego to Democratic politicians to stop their criticism of ICE and Border Patrol agents, arguing their already challenging work is being made more dangerous by American politicians.

Homan stated that the agents' efforts, which have contributed to border crossings plummeting to a 50-year low under President Donald Trump, are being undermined by ridicule from Democrats.

Tom Homan urges Democrats to stop attacking federal enforcement agents

During a press conference on Saturday, December 13, in San Diego, Tom Homan "begged" state and local Democratic leaders to stop publicly attacking the federal agents responsible for enforcing immigration laws.

Homan stressed the seriousness of their work, stating, "I’m begging the politicians, the governors, and mayors who constantly attack these men and women, please stop."

He added, "I don’t wanna bury anybody else. It’s not a joke, we’re out there enforcing laws." 

Homan did not point any fingers at politicians but mentioned their complaints about the immigration crackdown by the Trump administration.

White House border czar Tom Homan speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House on August 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. Homan discussed the federal takeover of D.C.'s police department and the deployment of the National Guard in D.C. by U.S. President Donald Trump to assist in crime prevention in the nation's capital. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Tom Homan speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House on August 13, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Democratic leaders' strong resistance to ICE policy

The context for Homan's plea includes notable statements from Democratic politicians.

For instance, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) had strongly condemned the government's approach to illegal immigration, going so far as to compare ICE raids to historical atrocities.

It is pertinent to note that the governor mentioned in October, “This is how authoritarian regimes do it,” citing Adolf Hitler's round-up of minorities.

Furthermore, Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, who is set to become New York City’s mayor, released a video last week instructing New York City residents on how they can actively "resist" ICE agents during operations.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents guard outside Delaney Hall, a migrant detention facility, while anti-ICE activists demonstrate on June 12, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. Anti-ICE protests have been spreading to cities across America since Ice deportation quotas have increased. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents guard outside Delaney Hall, a migrant detention facility, while anti-ICE activists demonstrate on June 12, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

Tom Homan vows no rest until 'every illegal alien is removed'

Homan discussed the toll that his work takes on his emotional state. He stated, “Every night, I go to bed and pray that no one dies in these operations, that no one dies on the border. I’ve seen too much death."

He also challenged the critics by saying, "And for those who don’t like me, wear my shoes for four years." 

Trump administration
Tom Homan talks with reporters outside the White House on July 10, 2025, in Washington, DC. Homan answered a range of questions related to border security and immigration enforcement actions (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Homan defended ICE and Border Patrol agents as "patriots" who risk their lives for the country.

Contrary to what is shown in the media, he emphasized that their activities are strategically driven, saying, "Despite what a lot of the media says, we are prioritizing public safety threats and national security threats."

Homan concluded with a strong message about the enforcement by asserting, "We will not rest until we make sure every public safety threat, every illegal alien, is removed. That’s the priority. But if you’re in the country illegally, you are not off the table."

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