The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has rejected claims made by Florida Democratic US Senate nominee Angie Nixon that Republicans are "literally trying to kill us" and that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) functions as a "weaponized paramilitary force" designed to terrorize individuals. Nixon made these assertions during an interview on the "QNA: Questions Need Answers" podcast earlier this month, shortly before winning Florida's Democratic Senate primary.
Nixon articulated her belief that voters should elect representatives who will serve as "fighters" in Washington, dismissing the idea of bipartisan cooperation. "Folks often say, like, ‘Oh, are you going to be able to work across the aisle with the Republicans?’ They’re not trying to work across the aisle. They’re literally trying to kill us. And they are doing it on camera,” Nixon stated.
She further characterized what she perceived as state-sanctioned violence, particularly within Black communities, and extended this criticism to immigration enforcement. "Like, actually state-sanctioned violence. They’ve been doing it in the black community. And they’re doing it even more so now with ICE," Nixon said. "ICE is now a weaponized paramilitary force that is designed to terrorize us."
As an example, Nixon cited a September 2025 operation in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood, alleging that agents zip-tied men, women, and children. This operation resulted in approximately two dozen detentions and targeted individuals suspected of being members of the Tren de Aragua.
DHS officials stated that allegations of DHS law enforcement engaging in racial profiling are "disgusting, reckless and categorically FALSE." A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Friday that immigration status, not race or ethnicity, dictates who is targeted for enforcement. The department cited ICE's authority under § U.S.C. 1357 and its use-of-force policy, which includes minimum-force and de-escalation standards. DHS also referred to a 2025 Supreme Court order that temporarily allowed immigration operations in Southern California to proceed while litigation continued regarding whether officers conducted stops without reasonable suspicion.
The DHS spokesperson noted that Nixon's rhetoric emerged as ICE personnel face escalating attacks and threats. The department reported a significant increase in violence against its law enforcement officers, including a 1,300% rise in assaults, a 3,300% increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats.
Nixon, a Florida state representative, defeated former National Security Council official Alexander Vindman in the primary. She is set to face Republican Senator Ashley Moody in November for the seat formerly held by Marco Rubio.
Republican National Committee spokeswoman Emma Hall commented that Nixon's remarks would benefit Republican candidates. "Socialist lunatic Angie Nixon wants to empty our prisons, open our borders and raise your taxes to bankroll their far-left agenda," Hall said. "Every word out of Nixon’s mouth is an in-kind contribution to Republicans in Florida and across the country."