Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin tore into Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., on Tuesday for comments suggesting Americans could be justified in shooting federal law enforcement officers, calling the statements "deeply irresponsible."
Appearing on Newsmax, McLaughlin said Nadler's rhetoric has real-world consequences at a critical moment for the country.
"It's just deeply irresponsible and reckless and dangerous for the public, for our law enforcement officers at a serious moment for our country," McLaughlin said on "Rob Schmitt Tonight."
At a House Judiciary Committee hearing earlier Tuesday, Nadler criticized what he called "the attacks on American citizens by masked hoodlums," referring to federal immigration agents.
He added, "If you were attacked by a masked person, you might think you were being kidnapped; you'd be justified in shooting the person."
Vice President JD Vance condemned Nadler's remarks as "despicable," while McLaughlin said the comments demonized federal law enforcement agents.
"As far as Jerry Nadler and these other politicians who have sat in Congress for decades, DHS is a law enforcement agency," McLaughlin said.
"The men and women of ICE and CBP are enforcing the rule of law on the books in Congress.
"If they don't like it, they should change the law," McLaughlin said.
She added, "Don't demonize our law enforcement. Don't liken them to the Nazis, to the Gestapo."
McLaughlin cited alarming statistics about attacks on federal officers, saying anti-law enforcement rhetoric fuels violence against those enforcing U.S. laws.
"It's no coincidence we are seeing a 1,000% increase in assaults against our law enforcement.
"We've seen 180 vehicle rammings against our law enforcement in the past year alone, and we're only seeing that kind of rhetoric continue.
"It's really despicable."
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