California Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove ignited outrage this week after declaring on national television that recent ICE enforcement operations in Los Angeles amounted to “domestic terrorism.” Her remarks came during a CNN appearance in which she accused federal agents of “terrorizing communities” as they carried out deportation orders under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
“These raids aren’t about safety. They’re about sending a message of fear,” she claimed. “When ICE agents storm neighborhoods and snatch up grandmothers and children, that’s domestic terrorism.”
California Rep. Kamlager-Dove calls ICE’s effort to deport violent illegal criminals “domestic terrorism.” pic.twitter.com/CNB7CDx8bA
— Jerry Calengor (@calengor1) June 11, 2025
The congresswoman’s accusation drew immediate pushback from law enforcement officials, immigration advocates, and constitutional scholars, many of whom called her comments inflammatory and grossly irresponsible.
Under federal law, “domestic terrorism” refers to violent acts that endanger human life and are intended to intimidate civilians or influence government policy through coercion. ICE’s operations, by contrast, are legally authorized enforcement actions—often carried out under warrants and targeted at individuals with outstanding deportation orders or criminal backgrounds.
Critics say Kamlager-Dove’s rhetoric crosses a dangerous line by equating federal law enforcement with terrorism—a move that could embolden resistance groups and delegitimize lawful action.
“This kind of language isn’t just reckless—it undermines the rule of law,” said one federal official familiar with the raids. “You can disagree with the policy, but calling it terrorism is an insult to victims of actual terror.”
Her remarks also highlight the growing divide within the Democratic Party. While moderate Democrats have expressed discomfort with the surge in illegal crossings and federal inaction under previous administrations, the party’s far-left wing continues to characterize immigration enforcement as inherently abusive—even when backed by the courts.
Polling released this week shows the majority of Americans support ICE’s right to carry out deportations—especially in sanctuary cities where local officials have refused to cooperate with federal law. The same polls show broad approval for President Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard in response to riots targeting federal facilities.
Kamlager-Dove’s framing may resonate with the activist base, but it’s likely to fuel even stronger support for Trump’s law-and-order agenda among independents and swing voters. As ICE operations expand and public opinion hardens against illegal immigration, the stakes of this rhetorical escalation are only growing.