Streamer Hasan Piker Mocks Injured ICE Agents at Ilhan Omar Event, Ignites Backlash
Online reactions ranged from disgust to calls for Democrats to disavow the controversial streamer following his remarks at a Minnesota campaign rally.
Far-left streamer Hasan Piker drew sharp criticism after mocking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who were injured during Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement event in Minnesota. Piker made the remarks on Monday night at a campaign event alongside Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.
Speaking with Omar Fateh, a former Minneapolis mayoral candidate who hosted the event, Piker recalled the deployment of ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents to Minnesota. He suggested that agents working in cold weather conditions must be "extra racist" and elicited laughter from the crowd as he joked about agents being injured, saying, "A lot of hip bones were broken. 'Officer Martinez down.'"
Piker's comments have been widely condemned by conservatives. Andrew Kolvet, executive producer for The Charlie Kirk Show, posted on X that Piker's remarks constituted "tacit support for the far-left insurrection network against federal law enforcement. Pro-revolution. Pro-anarchy." He added, "Every Democrat he campaigned with should be asked if they agree. Disgusting."
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that the "vilification" of ICE agents, who they claim put their lives on the line daily, contributes to a significant increase in assaults against them. "They should be thanking our law enforcement for removing these dangerous criminals from Minnesota—NOT vilifying law enforcement," the spokesperson said. The department urged politicians and activists to "turn the temperature down and tone down their rhetoric."
Piker has been a polarizing figure, appearing on campaign trails with several prominent Democrats. He has previously faced controversy for remarks, including a past statement that "America deserved 9/11" and accusations of antisemitism.
Omar's campaign defended her decision to appear with Piker, stating her aim was to mobilize young voters. The congresswoman has herself been embroiled in controversy, including a recent search of her Washington, D.C. home by Homeland Security Investigations agents.
Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., publicly denounced Piker's comments. Piker also referred to Republicans as "terrorists" during the event, while Omar called the Republican party the "pedophile protection party."