Acting ICE director demands Tim Walz apologize for calling agents 'modern-day Gestapo'

Lyons said that "if the governor doesn't like the laws, he's free to advocate that Congress change them, but he should refrain from putting ICE officers in danger by likening them to one of the most appalling groups in history."

"I'm gonna start with the flashing red light - Donald Trump's modern-day Gestapo is scooping folks up off the streets. They're in unmarked vans, wearing masks, being shipped off to foreign torture dungeons. No chance to mount a defense. Not even a chance to kiss a loved one goodbye. Just grabbed up by masked agents, shoved into those vans and disappeared."

"On the final day of National Police Week - when those brave enough to put on a badge and a uniform mourn their fallen brothers and sisters - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz referred to my professional, hard-working ICE agents and officers as 'modern-day Gestapo,'" said Lyons.

The acting ICE director said that Walz's "abhorrent, dehumanizing and ignorant comment should not be tolerated."

Lyons said that assaults against ICE officers have risen by over 400% from the same time last year.

He placed part of the blame for the rise in assaults against ICE agents on "politicians like Gov. Walz are careless with their politically motivated rhetoric."

White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller has also responded to Walz's statement, saying in a Sunday X post that "this vile anti-American language can only be construed as inciting insurrection and violence."