Trump: ICE protesters ‘want anarchy’

President Trump on Wednesday ripped activists who have in recent days protested outside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities after the Trump administration’s practice of separating migrant families.

“Left-wing activists are trying to block ICE officers from doing their jobs … putting these people and their families in harm’s way,” Trump said during a rally in Fargo, N.D.

Trump also slammed activists for posting personal information of ICE agents online.

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The Washington Post reported this week that WikiLeaks was behind the publication of a database that revealed thousands of ICE employees’ identities, addresses and other information. 

Simultaneously, protests have broken out near ICE facilities in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Portland, Ore., in recent days.

“These radical Democrat protesters really want anarchy, but the only response they will find from our government is very strong law and order,” Trump said at the rally.

“Extremist Democrat politicians have called for complete elimination of ICE,” he added. “You know what would happen to parts of our country? It would be overrun.” 

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) introduced legislation earlier this week to abolish ICE, arguing the organization “can no longer accomplish its goals effectively.”

While some Democrats have echoed Pocan’s concerns, several have voiced concerns with getting rid of the agency altogether. 

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) said he supports examining the agency’s methods, but warned that it performs a necessary function.

ICE has been at the forefront of the Trump administration’s controversial “zero tolerance” policy on illegal immigration. The policy, announced in April, led to the separation of thousands of migrant children from their parents.

Trump signed an executive order last week halting the separations after days of bipartisan outcry. The government has yet to announce a timetable for when children will be reunited with their parents.