Democrats have an ‘abolish ICE’ conundrum

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Peggy Flanagan, the progressive pick in the race for Minnesota senator, says the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is beyond fixing. Her opponent in the Democratic primary, centrist Angie Craig, isn't so sure. "We need a system to enforce immigration laws in this country, but ICE has completely lost the trust of the American people, and they continue to act in ways that are illegal and unconstitutional," Flanagan, the state's lieutenant governor, said in an interview. "We need to completely overhaul this agency and start over." Craig, a Minnesota congresswoman who represents a swing district, said she's opposed to Trump's "version of ICE," but warned that Democrats risk going too far in their response and could alienate independent voters

Posted by BellRinger at 01:58 PM | 20 COMMENTS | permalink

Comments

Good. Melt ICE!

#1 | Posted by a_monson at 2026-01-24 03:02 PM

the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is beyond fixing.

She's absolutely correct.

#2 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-01-24 03:04 PM

-------------------------------------

#3 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-01-24 03:05 PM

"She's absolutely correct."

In this particular case, yes, but it's still no reason to shoot oneself in the feet and help snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Democrats really ought to have a supermajority after the upcoming election, but they probably won't thanks to the idiots who want to be a left-wing version of Trump and say stupid ---- like many of Mamdani's appointees have.

#4 | Posted by sentinel at 2026-01-24 03:32 PM

Dont say abolish ICE, just do it. Trump has ruined it.

#5 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2026-01-24 03:36 PM

Say "repeal and replace".

#6 | Posted by sentinel at 2026-01-24 04:18 PM

I fail to understand the conundrum.

It will not take too much more (more murders) for defunding/abolishing ICE to become a universal demand by the voting public, not a right-wing weapon to use against Democrats.

It wouldn't even surprise me if GOYpers, on the campaign trail this fall, use the exact same language.

#7 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-24 04:41 PM

The thing is, the shooter(s) in this case weren't even ICE, but apparently border patrol and prison agents. What are we gonna do, defund all the agencies that Trump has messed up? That's what he wants.

#8 | Posted by sentinel at 2026-01-24 04:50 PM

Oooh, stupid Nazi no likey Democracy. Surprise, surprise, surprise.

#9 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-01-24 04:52 PM

#8 So?

ICE is out-of-control.

But, regardless of the agency they represent, there is no statute of limitations for murder at the federal or state level.

#10 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-24 06:06 PM

"even ICE, but apparently border patrol"

Border Patrol IS ICE, you ------- ------.

#11 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-01-24 07:38 PM

If not "abolish ICE" then what might be the plan going forward to "repair" ICE?

#12 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-24 08:45 PM

what might be the plan going forward to "repair" ICE?

Identification and accountability might be a place to start. Hiring standards could use a review.

#13 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-01-24 08:50 PM

@#13

I'd also add that ICE should be subject to the same laws that other law-enforcement officers are subject to.

#14 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-24 08:52 PM

" If not "abolish ICE" then what might be the plan going forward to "repair" ICE?

#12 | POSTED BY LAMPLIGHTER AT 2026-01-24 08:45 PM | FLAG: "

That's the conundrum Democrats face. Their base is "abolish". Whereas the middle is, "fix what's broken". It's a catch-22. They can't do one without alienating the other.

#15 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-24 09:04 PM

I fail to understand the conundrum.

It will not take too much more (more murders) for defunding/abolishing ICE to become a universal demand by the voting public, not a right-wing weapon to use against Democrats.

It wouldn't even surprise me if GOYpers, on the campaign trail this fall, use the exact same language.

#16 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-24 09:06 PM

So much of the government needs to be fixed after Trump and Musk have sullied it

#17 | Posted by hamburglar at 2026-01-24 09:08 PM

@#15 ... They can't do one without alienating the other. ...

I agree that Democrats seem to have many differing opinions in their party.

As opposed to the Republicans who now seem to be saying, ~obey Pres Trump's dicta or experience a primary challenge.

Thanks for raising that "obey or else" aspect of the GOP.

#18 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-24 09:56 PM

Ballwasher has a "I SUCK PEDOPHILE ----" conundrum

#19 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-01-26 12:16 AM

They don't have to abolish it, just revert it back to pre trump status