Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said Immigration and Customs Enforcement is acting as a secret paramilitary police force for President Trump.
These allegations suggest a shift in the operational nature of federal immigration enforcement. If the agency is functioning outside standard legal oversight, it could signal a broader trend toward the weaponization of federal law enforcement agencies.
Speaking June 6, 2026, at the Netroots Nation conference, Raskin said he is concerned over the expanding power of the agency. He specifically pointed to a recent funding boost of $70 billion [1] approved for ICE.
Raskin said the agency is not only appearing to act like a paramilitary force but is functioning as one. He highlighted the existence of a proposed weaponization fund as a primary point of concern regarding how these resources are deployed.
The congressman also called for further scrutiny of the Epstein scandal in relation to these developments. He said the intersection of these issues warrants deeper investigation into the agency's current trajectory.
Throughout his remarks, Raskin said the scale of the financial increase [1], combined with the agency's behavior, creates a risk to democratic norms. He said the lack of transparency surrounding these operations allows for potential abuses of power.
“ICE is acting like a secret paramilitary police force for President Trump”
The claims by Rep. Raskin highlight a growing tension between executive immigration enforcement and legislative oversight. By linking massive funding increases to 'paramilitary' behavior, Raskin is framing the debate around the potential for federal agencies to operate with autonomy that bypasses traditional checks and balances.
