Rep. Nadler said Americans may use lethal force against masked ICE agents if they feel threatened, citing aggressive raids and rising violence.

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) told a House Judiciary Committee hearing on February 3, 2026, that Americans could be justified in using lethal force against ICE agents if they perceived them as masked individuals posing an immediate threat, likening such agents to "hoodlums." He cited aggressive enforcement tactics, including warrantless home raids and incidents involving U.S. citizens, and referenced a surge in violence against ICE personnel, including fatal shootings in Minneapolis. Nadler framed the situation as part of a broader crisis of federal overreach and authoritarianism, warning of escalating threats to democracy and civil liberties. His comments sparked national debate amid heightened tensions over immigration policy and law enforcement.