One Democrat who helped pump $10 billion into ICE now regrets it — because siding with Donald Trump comes with a price
Last week, seven Democrats defied their party and voted with the Republicans to help them pass a $ 64.4 billion bill that will fund the Department of Homeland Security. The same also allocates about $10 billion for the U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The individuals who voted for this include Representatives Henry Cuellar (Texas), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington), Jared Golden (Maine), Laura Gillen (New York), Don Davis (North Carolina), Tom Suozzi (New York) and Vicente Gonzalez (Texas).
Since the aforementioned individuals decided to vote for funding the DHS and ICE, many of them have come forward with their own justifications for their decision, with a majority of them highlighting that other provisions mentioned in the bill were important for the people of the United States. For context, the same bill is also designed to fund the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the U.S. Secret Service, and the Disaster Relief Fund, among others. However, ever since the recent shooting and killing of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse in Minneapolis, by ICE agents, one of the seven Democrats has seemingly distanced himself from his decision on the DHS and ICE funding bill. Representative Tom Suozzi from New York, on January 26, 2026, shared on his Facebook account via a post update that he had “failed to view the DHS funding vote as a referendum on the illegal and immoral conduct of ICE in Minneapolis.” He also said:
I hear the anger from my constituents, and I take responsibility for that. I have long been critical of ICE’s unlawful behavior and I must do a better job demonstrating that.”
Additionally, he condoned the killing of Alex Pretty and urged Trump to end “Operation Metro Surge” and ICE’s occupation of Minneapolis. He said:
The senseless and tragic murder of Alex Pretti underscores what happens when untrained federal agents operate without accountability. President Trump must immediately end “Operation Metro Surge” and ICE’s occupation of Minneapolis that has sown chaos, led to tragedy, and undermined experienced local law enforcement.”
Suozzi received a massive response to his post, with most criticising his behaviour. Many made scathing remarks against him, suggesting that his apologies over the matter were too late. Others vowed not to vote for Suozzi in the upcoming elections as a sign of revolt. A few of them, predominantly MAGA and Republican, extended their support to Suozzi and thanked him for his commitment “to doing better” for his constituents.
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