Full Breakdown
Tensions Rise Over Immigration Enforcement at Congressional Hearing
2/13/2026, 1:22:07 AM
Confrontation at the Hearing
During a recent congressional hearing, Representative Steve Cohen, a Democrat from Tennessee, engaged in a heated exchange with Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the Trump administration's immigration policies. Cohen asserted that the "worst of the worst" criminals targeted by federal authorities are not illegal immigrants but rather native-born Americans. His comments were made in the context of discussions surrounding the Justice Department's handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Cohen emphasized the need for local law enforcement to focus on protecting citizens from domestic criminals, stating, "The worst of the worst are not the immigrants. The worst are the worst, records show are native-born Americans." He criticized the administration's approach, arguing that diverting local law enforcement resources to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in deportation efforts undermines public safety in cities like Memphis, where there is already a shortage of officers.
Diverging Perspectives on Immigration
Bondi countered Cohen's claims by highlighting the dangers posed by illegal immigrants, stating, "I've seen some of the worst of the worst, violent criminals, violent criminals who were in this country illegally." This exchange reflects a broader debate within U.S. politics regarding the criminality of immigrants versus native-born citizens. While the Trump administration has claimed that approximately 70% of illegal immigrants targeted by federal immigration authorities have criminal records, many Democrats argue that most undocumented individuals have not committed any crimes beyond their immigration status.
Criticism of ICE Practices
Cohen also criticized ICE's operations, alleging that federal authorities acted excessively in certain cases, including the deaths of individuals Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. He described their treatment as akin to an execution and called for investigations into the actions of federal officials, stating, "And you should investigate anybody that uses a weapon as a federal official or not, for civil rights violations."
Official Statements & Responses
In response to Cohen's remarks, Bondi maintained that both local and federal law enforcement require "strong people" to effectively combat crime. This exchange underscores the ongoing tensions between differing views on immigration enforcement and public safety.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The debate over the criminality of immigrants versus native-born Americans remains contentious, with conflicting narratives regarding the actual impact of immigration policies on crime rates. While the Trump administration emphasizes the criminal records of many targeted immigrants, critics like Cohen argue that the focus should shift to addressing crime committed by native-born citizens.
Verbatim Quotes
- "The worst of the worst are not the immigrants. The worst are the worst, records show are native-born Americans." — Rep. Steve Cohen, Tennessee
- "I've seen some of the worst of the worst, violent criminals, violent criminals who were in this country illegally." — Attorney General Pam Bondi
- "And you should investigate anybody that uses a weapon as a federal official or not, for civil rights violations." — Rep. Steve Cohen, Tennessee
