A violent attack outside a federal building has prompted one of the Trump administration’s top immigration officials to issue a stark warning about the growing threats facing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
Speaking outside the White House, the official said the latest incident is exactly what he feared would happen after months of increasingly heated rhetoric directed at federal immigration agents.
Border czar Tom Homan told reporters Monday that recent attacks against ICE officers are the direct result of what he described as inflammatory political rhetoric, warning that if it continues, more federal agents could be seriously injured or killed.
Homan’s remarks came after authorities said 43-year-old Army veteran Andrew Arrabaca allegedly threw an incendiary device at New York City’s 26 Federal Plaza, which houses offices for both the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the incident resulted in two minor injuries.
“I said this a year ago,” Homan told reporters.
“If the hateful rhetoric doesn’t stop, there will be bloodshed. And, unfortunately, I was right,” Homan added.
Homan argued that repeated comparisons between ICE agents and Nazis or fascists have encouraged some individuals to target federal law enforcement officers.
“They keep attacking and miscommunicating what ICE does every day, calling them Nazis,” Homan said. “Comparing ICE to the Nazi regime — are you kidding me?”
The border czar said he fears the violence is far from over.
“I’m afraid that we’re going to bury an ICE agent,” Homan said. “I’m afraid I’m going to hand another folded-up flag to a spouse or a child of an ICE agent for simply doing his job.”
WATCH:
🚨 JUST IN: Tom Homan just got emotional about violence against ICE then STORMED OFF from the press
“I can’t even get a carton of milk at a grocery store without a security detail! WHY? Because I’m enforcing laws. IT’S PATHETIC AND IT’S DISGUSTING.” 💯
“Guys — ICE agents are… pic.twitter.com/jQln110LO6
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 20, 2026
Homan also criticized members of Congress who have accused ICE of acting like fascists.
“For any member of Congress who keep attacking ICE and calling them fascists and Nazis,” he said, “if they’re a Nazi from enforcing the law, what’s that make them?”
“We’re not making this up,” Homan continued.
“We are enforcing laws they wrote, and that they appropriate us money to enforce.”
At the same time, Homan said ICE personnel who violate the law should be held accountable.
“I will state once again, if ICE agents acted inappropriately, or illegal, they’ll be held accountable,” he said.
He pointed to a recent case in Minnesota as an example of officers facing consequences when misconduct occurs.
Homan also spoke personally about the impact the threats have had on his own life.
“I can’t even go get a quart of milk at the grocery store without a security detail,” he said.
“Why? Because I’m enforcing the laws of this country.”
“It’s pathetic and disgusting.”
After making his remarks, Homan walked away from reporters without taking additional questions.
The incident at Federal Plaza is the latest in a series of confrontations involving ICE as the Trump administration continues its aggressive immigration enforcement campaign.
According to The National News Desk, at least nine people have died nationwide during encounters involving ICE agents since the administration’s expanded enforcement operations began last year.
The outlet reported that no federal officers have been criminally charged in connection with those deaths and noted that the federal government has argued state prosecutors generally lack jurisdiction over federal officers acting within the scope of their duties.
Among the most recent incidents were two separate fatal traffic stops involving ICE agents last week in Texas and Maine.
Following those shootings, the Department of Homeland Security briefly paused certain ICE traffic stop operations while reviewing procedures.
President Donald Trump quickly reversed that decision, however, praising ICE officers on Truth Social and writing that they were doing a “GREAT job,” Mediaite reported.
The latest attack and Homan’s comments come as immigration enforcement remains one of the administration’s signature issues heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Supporters argue ICE agents are carrying out laws enacted by Congress and deserve protection while performing dangerous duties.
