Sharpton Claims Trump Administration Is ‘Assaulting American Citizens’ Amid Immigration Crackdown

On MSNBC’s The Beat Monday evening, Al Sharpton accused President Donald Trump’s administration of “assaulting American citizens” through its renewed immigration enforcement push.

The comments came during a discussion with host Ari Melber about federal immigration actions at major events. Melber referenced recent operations tied to high-profile venues like the Super Bowl, claiming immigration authorities were targeting locations based on cultural demographics. Sharpton said the moves reflected “racial profiling at its highest level” and blamed Trump directly.

“This is coming from the president,” Sharpton said. “If you take one of the largest cultural events in America and turn it into a place where people are being watched or questioned based on their appearance, language, or nationality, that raises serious questions.”

He continued, “Sometimes people unite because they believe in the same cause, and sometimes they unite after being targeted by the same force. I think Americans are going to back into each other because of what they’re experiencing.”

Sharpton also suggested that current enforcement actions contrast with the administration’s foreign policy priorities. “You can’t talk about peace efforts in the Middle East while ignoring how your own citizens are being treated here at home,” he said.

The Trump administration has made immigration enforcement a central part of its second-term agenda, deploying ICE and National Guard units to sanctuary cities and border states. Supporters say the strategy is necessary to restore order and enforce the law after years of lax border policy. Critics argue the tactics are aggressive and disruptive.

Despite the backlash from some corners, federal officials say they are carrying out the law as written and fulfilling campaign promises to secure the border and remove individuals in the country illegally.