Tulsi Gabbard says Democrats’ attacks on ICE show exactly why she left party

WASHINGTON, DC: Tulsi Gabbard renewed her criticism of the Democratic Party on October 22, saying its current approach toward law enforcement, particularly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), highlights the very reasons she decided to leave the party. 

Gabbard accused Democratic leaders of “endangering the lives of law enforcement officers” while defending cartels and gang members, calling it a “direct threat to the values of our country.”

Tulsi Gabbard accuses Democrats of 'putting ICE agents at risk'

In a recent interview with Fox News, Tulsi Gabbard claimed that Democrats are “targeting” ICE agents through their rhetoric and policies, even as the agency’s recruitment continues to rise.

She said this paradoxical hostility from political leaders, alongside growing interest in serving, underscores both the resilience of law enforcement officers and the deep flaws in the Democratic Party’s priorities.

She further added that the Democratic Party’s attitude toward law enforcement has crossed a line from political opposition to active hostility, putting federal officers and their families in harm’s way.

“They’re essentially putting the lives of our law enforcement and their families at great risk,” she said. “This is not the values of our country, 1st Amendment and peaceful protest.”

Gabbard, who served four terms in Congress and ran for president in 2020, said she no longer recognizes the party she once represented. Gabbard argued that Democrats have shifted away from foundational American values, including respect for the rule of law and freedom of speech.

“This is a party that’s undermining the very foundation of this country,” she said, stressing that the party’s leadership has abandoned what she believes were once its core principles of integrity and accountability.

ICE recruitment grows despite 'anti-law enforcement climate'

Despite what she described as an “anti-law enforcement climate,” Tulsi Gabbard noted that ICE recruitment has risen sharply in recent months.

“ICE’s recruitment numbers have SKYROCKETED - even in the face of these threats coming [from] Democratic politicians,” she said.

Gabbard interpreted the trend as a sign that many Americans continue to support law enforcement, regardless of political pressures.

She praised ICE agents for their service under difficult conditions, describing their commitment as an act of “true patriotism” and resilience in the face of growing political hostility.

Reaffirming her decision to leave the Democratic Party in 2022, Gabbard said the party’s actions toward ICE are a reflection of the broader moral decline she has long criticized.

“What Democrats are doing right now is exactly why I left,” she said, adding that their current behavior illustrates a widening divide between the party’s leadership and the values of ordinary Americans.