Trump backs push to rename ICE so that the media is forced to say 'NICE agents'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Trump backed a cheeky proposal to rename ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to NICE (National Immigration and Customs Enforcement) so the media is forced to refer to personnel as "NICE agents."

Trump reposted a tweet shared by one of his supporters that called for the name change. "I want Trump to change ICE to NICE (National Immigration and Customs Enforcement) so the media has to say NICE agents all day every day," the post read.

The President loved the idea and remarked, "GREAT IDEA!!! DO IT. President DJT."

Crackdown, controversy, followed by course correction

At the height of the Trump administration’s immigration operations, enforcement activity was hard to miss. Carloads of masked officers became a common sight on the streets of Minneapolis, while thousands were being arrested weekly across Texas, Florida, and California.

Top Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino called the strategy "turn and burn," describing a relentless approach that saw teams of agents sweep through restaurant kitchens, bus stops, and even Home Depot parking lots.

By December, Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests had surged to nearly 40,000 nationwide, with January numbers close behind, according to data provided to UC Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project and analyzed by The Associated Press. 

But the aggressive tactics sparked backlash. In late January, the killings in Minneapolis of two American citizens by immigration officers appeared to trigger a shake-up among top immigration officials. In the weeks that followed, ICE arrests dropped by roughly 12% on average.

Polling suggested many Americans believed the Minnesota operation had gone too far, a factor that may have played into the abrupt removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in early March.

Trump showers praise on ICE and border patrol

Despite controversy, Trump has remained firmly in ICE’s corner.

In a March post on Truth Social, he praised their work at airports.

“I am so proud of our ICE Patriots! They were unfairly maligned by the Lunatic Democrats for years, and now, at the Airports, in addition to what they are supposed to be doing, they are helping people with bags, even picking up and cleaning areas. They are so proud to be there!" he wrote. "The Public is loving ICE, so the Democrats, unwittingly, did us a favor. They are Great American Patriots, they just happen to have much larger, and harder, muscles than most — which is what they’re supposed to have.”

“Thank you to ICE for the GREAT job you are doing. America very much appreciates it!” Trump added.

Speaking at the White House on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in January, Trump declared, “We will always be protecting ICE and our Border Patrol and our law enforcement.”

During Christmas, he thanked officers across the board. “So this Christmas season, let me say thank you to everyone who serves the needy and lifts up the communities, inspired by faith. Thank you to the police, law enforcement officers, first responders, ICE, and Border Patrol agents, who risk their lives every day to defend the innocent, protect the good, and keep the evil and danger at bay," he said.