Columbia News

Senator Eric Schmitt has made a series of statements on social media outlining his legislative priorities and concerns regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. In posts dated July 14, 2025, Senator Schmitt announced new legislative efforts and addressed what he describes as increasing hostility toward ICE agents.

On July 14, 2025, Senator Schmitt wrote: "Today, I'm introducing legislation to double the maximum federal penalty for assaulting or impeding an ICE agent. Our ICE agents are heroes — and we need to have their backs. The mass deportations must continue."

In a subsequent post on the same day, he commented on the broader context surrounding violence against ICE agents: "This didn't happen in a vacuum. It's not random. It’s cause and effect. The Left is running a round-the-clock hate campaign—smearing ICE agents as 'Gestapo,' 'thugs,' 'secret police,' and 'vigilantes.' Now, violent radicals are taking that rhetoric to its logical conclusion."

He further elaborated his position by emphasizing the importance of upholding law enforcement authority: "America will not survive if we accept the premise that vigilantes get to use violence to veto our laws. It's time to restore order. Those who would attack or interfere with our ICE agents should pay a swift and devastating price. And that's exactly what this bill ensures."

Additional information for Step 3: According to recent reports from federal agencies, assaults against ICE personnel have risen over the past year amid contentious national debates over immigration enforcement policies.

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