Tom Homan, who previously served as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director under the Trump administration, criticized MSNBC host Joy Reid sharply on Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime.” He referred to her as “dumber than a box of rocks” for terming the recent nationwide immigration raids as “performative.”
While defending the enforcement operations, Homan highlighted the arrest of more than 4,500 violent criminals since the previous Thursday. He stated that the arrested individuals included convicted murderers, gang members, and child sex predators. He further elaborated that these operations were specifically targeting violent criminal illegal immigrants, contributing to safer communities.
“They need to get out of the way because we’re not going to stop,” said Homan during the interview, referring to Reid and other critics of the immigration crackdown. He was adamant that the enforcement efforts would persist regardless of any opposition.
Controversy arose when Reid and New York Attorney General Letitia James labeled the raids as reckless on MSNBC. Reid’s dismissal of the operations as “performative” prompted Homan’s strong rebuttal on the Fox News show. He specifically addressed the portrayal of the raids as mere performance, emphasizing that the arrests of dangerous criminals proved their significant impact.
Homan pointed to what he depicted as a 3,500% surge in people on terrorist watch lists under the Biden administration as justification for the increased enforcement efforts. He argued that these operations were instrumental in preventing fentanyl-related deaths and combating sex trafficking. The former ICE director emphasized the operations were part of a broader strategy to enhance border security and safeguard American communities.
The recent enforcement actions were part of broader discussions about immigration policy. During the final year of the Biden administration, more than 271,000 immigrants were deported, despite criticism that the administration had been too lenient on immigration enforcement. Many deportations took place even amid claims that the administration had adopted a soft approach to border security.
Media reports suggest that Reid, known for her regular commentary on Trump administration policies, recently agreed to a pay cut to retain her position at MSNBC. Her criticism of Trump has made her a frequent target of backlash among media analysts. The MSNBC host has consistently opposed Trump-era immigration policies through her platform.
The exchange between Homan and Reid underscores the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement strategies. The nationwide operations have led to thousands of arrests across various jurisdictions, with ICE primarily targeting individuals with criminal records. The operations continue to actively stimulate discussion about the effectiveness and approach of current immigration enforcement policies.
