Congressman and ICE Director Clash Over Agency Tactics

A U.S. Congressman and the head of ICE had a strong argument during a meeting. The Congressman said ICE agents acted badly, like the Gestapo. The ICE Director told him to visit a museum to learn history. They disagree a lot about immigration rules.
By Newsroom | Politics, United States |

The U.S. House Homeland Security Committee convened for a significant oversight hearing concerning the operations of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), featuring testimony from top officials from the Trump administration, including acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. The hearing, which spanned several hours, saw heated exchanges, particularly between Congressman Dan Goldman and Director Lyons. The focus of these exchanges centered on ICE's enforcement tactics and broader immigration policies.

He's Gonna CRY! Dan Goldman CLEARLY Did Not Expect ICE Director Lyons to Tell Him WHERE to Go (Watch) - 1

Background of Tensions

Recent events have intensified scrutiny on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In May 2025, Congressman Dan Goldman publicly condemned the appearance and actions of masked, plainclothes ICE agents detaining individuals at routine court appearances in New York. Goldman stated at the time that law enforcement officers do not typically conceal their faces. This incident was followed by Goldman’s assertion in October 2025 that four American citizens were detained during an ICE raid in Chinatown, alleging an abuse of power and urging Director Lyons to direct his agents to "cool it." He also suggested that federal immigration agents were engaging in "Gestapo-like behavior," a comparison that drew a strong reaction from ICE.

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He's Gonna CRY! Dan Goldman CLEARLY Did Not Expect ICE Director Lyons to Tell Him WHERE to Go (Watch) - 2

The Oversight Hearing

The hearing on February 10, 2026, provided a formal platform for these ongoing disputes. Key points of contention included:

He's Gonna CRY! Dan Goldman CLEARLY Did Not Expect ICE Director Lyons to Tell Him WHERE to Go (Watch) - 3

  • "Gestapo" Accusation: Congressman Dan Goldman drew a direct parallel between ICE agents and the Gestapo, the Nazi Germany secret police.

  • Director Lyons' Response: Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons suggested that Congressman Goldman visit the Holocaust Museum. Lyons also defended the agency’s actions and rhetoric, particularly concerning masked agents, stating that Democrats and media outlets were misrepresenting the agency’s practices. He countered criticisms by noting the arrests of 54 protestors by local authorities overnight and implied that criticisms of ICE were fueled by a desire to attack former President Trump.

  • Apology for "Terrorist" Label: Representative Eric Swalwell pressed Director Lyons on apologizing for a past "terrorist" label applied to an individual, which Lyons indicated he would address by providing investigation reports once completed.

  • Homeland Security Funding: Separately, key senators indicated they would not support a short-term spending bill to prevent a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, adding a layer of administrative uncertainty to the proceedings.

Conflicting Accounts of Tactics

Congressman Goldman's Perspective

Congressman Goldman has repeatedly voiced concerns regarding ICE's enforcement methods.

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He's Gonna CRY! Dan Goldman CLEARLY Did Not Expect ICE Director Lyons to Tell Him WHERE to Go (Watch) - 4

  • Masked Agents: Goldman has pointed to masked ICE agents as evidence of behavior that deviates from standard law enforcement practices. He has argued that plainclothes agents concealing their identities at immigration appointments is irregular and indicative of an "abuse of power."

  • Detention of Citizens: His claims that American citizens were detained during ICE operations suggest a belief that enforcement actions have overstepped legal boundaries and may be misdirected.

  • "Gestapo" Comparison: This strong rhetoric indicates Goldman's perception of ICE tactics as oppressive and authoritarian, drawing parallels to historical human rights abuses. He stated, "People are simply making valid observations about your tactics, which are unAmerican and outright fascist."

Director Lyons' Defense

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has defended the agency’s operations and pushed back against criticisms.

  • Holocaust Museum Suggestion: By suggesting Congressman Goldman visit the Holocaust Museum, Lyons appeared to dismiss the "Gestapo" comparison as inflammatory and historically ignorant, implying that such comparisons trivialize the atrocities of the Nazi regime.

  • Defense of Tactics: Lyons has asserted that ICE procedures are being followed and defended the agency’s actions, suggesting that critics are motivated by political opposition to the Trump administration. He characterized some actions as necessary to combat anti-ICE agitation and implied that elected officials should support law enforcement personnel.

  • Focus on Legal Process: Lyons has indicated a commitment to providing reports on specific killings and defended the agency’s enforcement actions as being within legal parameters. He stated that over 220,000 people applied to work at ICE, indicating significant interest in the agency's work.

Evidence Presented

  • Verbal Exchanges: The primary evidence consists of transcribed and recorded exchanges during the House Homeland Security Committee hearing. News reports detail direct confrontations between Goldman and Lyons.

  • Official Statements: Congressman Goldman released a statement on May 30, 2025, detailing his confrontation with masked ICE agents, which he described as witnessing and confronting them detaining immigrants.

  • News Reports: Multiple news outlets, including ABC News, NBC News, Daily Wire, Twitchy, and amNewYork, provided live updates and summaries of the hearing and the preceding events, citing statements from both Goldman and Lyons.

  • Video Evidence: ABC News provided a video link related to Congressman Goldman's confrontation with the ICE director, titled "Rep. Goldman to ICE director: Stop acting like a fascist."

Expert Analysis

"The language used, such as 'Gestapo,' is highly charged. When members of Congress use such comparisons, it reflects a deep ideological divide and a breakdown in constructive dialogue about immigration enforcement. The response from the agency head, suggesting a visit to the Holocaust Museum, serves to highlight that perceived historical misapplication and aims to draw a sharp line against such characterizations." - A political analyst observed the exchange.

"The tension at the hearing underscores the broader debate surrounding immigration policy and the methods employed by federal agencies. Critics view certain tactics as overreach, while defenders emphasize the necessity of robust enforcement. This dichotomy is evident in the differing interpretations of events and the language used to describe them." - An immigration policy researcher commented on the broader context.

Conclusion and Implications

The House Homeland Security Committee hearing on February 10, 2026, revealed significant friction between Congressman Dan Goldman and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. Goldman's characterization of ICE agents as "Gestapo-like" and Lyons' retort suggesting a visit to the Holocaust Museum exemplify the acrimonious nature of their exchanges regarding immigration enforcement tactics.

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  • Deepening Divide: The exchange highlights a widening gulf in perspectives on ICE’s role and methods, particularly concerning the detention of individuals and the appearance of enforcement agents.

  • Policy Scrutiny: The hearing, while featuring testimony from Trump administration officials, took place against a backdrop of ongoing debate about immigration policy and potential DHS funding shortfalls.

  • Public Perception: The use of strong rhetoric by both sides impacts public perception of ICE and the broader immigration system, potentially polarizing opinions further.

  • Future Oversight: The events suggest that congressional oversight of ICE and DHS will continue to be a contentious area, with continued focus on the legality and ethical implications of enforcement actions.

The differing viewpoints and the intensity of the dialogue indicate that finding common ground on immigration enforcement will remain a significant challenge.

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Sources:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened at the hearing?
Congressman Dan Goldman and ICE Director Todd Lyons argued about how ICE does its work.
Q: Why did they argue?
The Congressman said ICE agents acted like the Gestapo. The Director disagreed and defended his agency.
Q: What did the ICE Director say?
He told the Congressman to visit the Holocaust Museum and said critics were misrepresenting ICE.
Q: What is the main problem?
They have very different ideas about immigration rules and how ICE should act.