“Anyone pointing the finger at law enforcement officers instead of the criminals is simply doing the bidding of criminal illegal aliens.”
The White House is forcefully defending Immigration and Customs Enforcement following Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown’s press conference condemning federal immigration enforcement and urging residents to “step up” against ICE, as GOP lawmakers warn that state leaders are fueling conflict at a volatile moment.
Asked whether the White House had a response to Ferguson’s remarks criticizing ICE, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI that rhetoric from Democratic officials is putting federal officers in danger.
NEW: Washington Governor Bob Ferguson says he is going to "depend" on anti-ICE activists "to partner with us on making sure that the conduct of ICE agents is being recorded," after being asked about false reports from activist groups that put schools into lockdowns pic.twitter.com/IMSEr135Q6
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) January 27, 2026
“ICE officers are facing a 1300% increase in assaults because of dangerous, untrue smears by elected Democrats,” Jackson said. “Just the other day, an officer had his finger bitten off by a radical left-wing rioter. ICE officers act heroically to enforce the law and protect American communities, and local officials should work with them, not against them.”
Jackson added that “anyone pointing the finger at law enforcement officers instead of the criminals is simply doing the bidding of criminal illegal aliens.”
Ferguson and Brown held a joint press conference in Olympia, condemning federal immigration enforcement following the shooting deaths of two US citizens in Minnesota who were disrupting ICE operations. Ferguson described the incident as “un-American” and said ICE is “completely and totally out of control,” warning that Washington is preparing for a possible “escalation” of federal enforcement activity in the state.
Ferguson said Washington would use “every tool” available to mitigate harm and called on more Washingtonians to “step up and help,” framing public involvement as part of documenting ICE activity. Brown emphasized public reporting and scrutiny, disputing the Department of Homeland Security’s account that agents acted in self-defense.
Ferguson also outlined steps his administration is taking, including a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem objecting to what the state described as unconstitutional enforcement guidance, discussions with the Adjutant General about possible National Guard deployment, and urging lawmakers to expedite Senate Bill 5855, which would restrict when law enforcement officers may cover their faces while interacting with the public.
The White House response comes as Washington GOP Rep. Jim Walsh (R-Aberdeen) sharply criticized Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown for what he called “choosing escalation” amid rising tensions around federal immigration enforcement.
In a statement responding to Ferguson’s Monday press conference and legislation moving through the Legislature, Walsh warned that protests nationwide are becoming increasingly violent and that Washington leaders are stoking conflict instead of working to prevent it.
“What’s happening around the country should worry every Washingtonian,” Walsh said, pointing to demonstrations aimed at federal immigration enforcement that he said are “boiling over into confrontation and violence.” He argued that state leaders should be lowering the temperature, not inflaming it. “When leaders respond by inflaming emotions rather than calming the situation, they don’t protect the public—they increase the risk that someone will get hurt.”
Walsh criticized those actions as reckless, saying Ferguson “rushed out a heated message before the facts were clear” and used it to rally supporters rather than urge restraint. He accused Brown of amplifying extreme rhetoric and encouraging confrontation with the federal government.
“Washington can protect constitutional rights and demand accountability without encouraging lawlessness,” Walsh said, warning that framing federal agents as enemies risks turning Washington into “the next flashpoint.”
