Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sparked a firestorm of criticism after comparing ICE agents to the Nazi secret police during a law school graduation speech, drawing a swift rebuke from the Department of Homeland Security.

At a Glance

• Governor Tim Walz called ICE agents “Trump’s modern-day Gestapo” during a University of Minnesota Law School graduation speech
• The Department of Homeland Security condemned Walz’s remarks as “absolutely sickening”
• DHS reported a 413% increase in assaults on ICE agents
• Walz criticized Trump’s immigration policies, particularly regarding deportations without due process
• Immigration enforcement is expected to intensify under Trump’s second administration

Walz’s Controversial Comparison

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who recently lost the 2024 presidential election as Kamala Harris’ running mate, compared Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to the Nazi secret police during a speech at the University of Minnesota Law School graduation on May 17. The Gestapo, Adolf Hitler’s secret police force, was responsible for torturing and murdering millions during the Holocaust. Walz’s comparison immediately drew sharp criticism from federal officials and immigration enforcement advocates who called the remarks dangerously inflammatory.

During his keynote address, Walz criticized what he described as Trump’s immigration policies that included deporting alleged gang members without due process. He specifically mentioned ICE agents operating in unmarked vehicles and questioned the treatment of congressional representatives attempting oversight of detention facilities. The governor encouraged the law graduates to challenge what he characterized as abuses of power, describing lawyers as “our first and last line of defense.”

DHS Response and Safety Concerns

The Department of Homeland Security quickly responded to Walz’s remarks, labeling them “absolutely sickening” and dangerous. In their statement, DHS officials emphasized the real-world consequences of such inflammatory rhetoric, pointing to a troubling 413% increase in assaults against ICE agents. The department expressed concern that characterizing federal law enforcement officers as Nazi-equivalent forces could further endanger agents who are simply performing their lawful duties to enforce immigration laws.

The White House Rapid Response team also criticized Walz on social media for his comments, highlighting the inappropriate nature of comparing American law enforcement to one of history’s most notorious organizations responsible for genocide. Critics noted that such rhetoric undermines legitimate policy debates about immigration enforcement by resorting to extreme historical comparisons rather than addressing specific policy concerns.

Immigration Enforcement and Political Context

The controversy emerges as President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to implement one of the largest deportation operations in American history, with plans to remove millions of undocumented immigrants from the country. Immigration was a central issue in the 2024 presidential campaign, with Trump promising expanded powers for ICE and stricter border enforcement. DHS has maintained that individuals entering the U.S. illegally will be subject to arrest and deportation under existing immigration laws.

Walz, who is reportedly considering a presidential run in 2028, has been giving speeches nationwide following his defeat in the 2024 election. Political analysts note that his comments come at a time when Democratic leaders are reassessing their messaging on immigration after losing significant support among voters concerned about border security. The incident highlights the increasingly polarized nature of immigration discourse in America, where enforcement policies are either characterized as necessary security measures or humanitarian concerns.