President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that immigration agents should not give up conducting car stops, appearing to contradict the government’s move to temporarily halt the tactic.
The president’s defense of the stops in a social media post came a day after Immigration and Customs Enforcement ordered agents to temporarily pause most of their stops of motorists, after agents fatally shot two drivers this month in separate incidents in Maine and Houston.
“we CANNOT give up one of I.C.E.’s most important and effective Crime Fighting tools, THE TRAFFIC STOP!” Trump said in the post. “Once we do, we are playing right into the criminal’s hands. The Radical Left Dumocrats would like to see this done, but it won’t happen on my watch. I.C.E., be judicious, fair and smart, and go back and do your very important job.”
ICE’s directive stemmed from backlash after agents shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston last week and Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, who also went by Joan, in Biddeford, Maine, on Monday.
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Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said attempting to evade arrest was dangerous in a Wednesday morning post on X.
“Illegal aliens will be arrested and deported wherever they are,” Mullin said. “If you are here illegally, LEAVE NOW.”
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she urged Mullin on Monday night to halt nonurgent car stops. Border czar Tom Homan told reporters Tuesday the pause would be “short” and he expects agents will resume stops in a couple weeks.
The White House did not clarify if the temporary pause was no longer in place and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to NOTUS’ request for comment.
Another man died Tuesday in St. Augustine, Florida, after being hit by a truck while fleeing from ICE.
Homan downplayed the impact of the pause, telling Fox News on Tuesday it wouldn’t bring down arrests.
“I wouldn’t even call this a bump in the road — this is going to be a short-term review, so ICE feels comfortable that their agents are safe, they’re doing the right thing and get back to doing what they do best,” Homan said.
Mullin did not make a scheduled appearance Wednesday morning as the opening speaker at a summit hosted by The Hill and NewsNation. Other Cabinet members are set to speak at the event.
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