House Republican Throws Down With Tim Walz Over Him Calling ICE Agents ‘Modern-Day Gestapo’

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) sparred with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) over a recent statement Walz made comparing ICE agents under President Donald Trump’s orders to the Gestapo.

“You said earlier that the ICE agents under the orders of President Trump are a modern-day Gestapo. Do you realize how disgusting a phrase that is, considering the history of Nazi Germany? Would you like to recant that statement?” Donalds asked during a hearing.

“What I said, Congressman, and I have a long history of supporting law enforcement, I said President Trump was using them as his modern-day Gestapo, not identifying who you are, coming up in unmarked vans, taking people away and giving–” Walz answered, not backing down from his remarks.

“Is it the responsibility of ICE to actually deport illegal aliens in the United States who are here? Isn’t that their responsibility?” Donalds pressed.

“Yes, it is, Congressman, except that the Constitution is not an inconvenience. It’s not an either or–” Walz replied as Donalds cut in, “Nobody said it’s an inconvenience.”

“We have a responsibility to deport illegal aliens, and the president is going through that process right now. And let’s be very clear, the previous administration, they abused every process there is under border laws to allow more than 10 million people into the country illegally. And this is a burden on all Americans. And so the president is doing his job. So it is sick to refer to Americans who are ICE agents as Gestapo. Governor, you’re wrong. You need to apologize to these agents. They’re doing their jobs. They are Americans. They serve this country with honor and decency and respect. Do not diminish their work, simply because you tried to make a cheap point that you could tweet. I yield back,” Donalds concluded.

Watch the clip above.