During a Senate floor speech Wednesday, Senator Chuck Schumer, a leading Democrat from New York, said ICE and Border Patrol are agencies “nobody respects in this country” – and by the next morning, Donald Trump was already demanding an apology in all caps.
The remark came during Schumer’s argument against a Republican proposal to add $140 billion to immigration enforcement. “Adding $140 billion to an agency, to two groups, Border Patrol and ICE, that nobody respects in this country,” he said.
Senator Schumer says “nobody respects” ICE and CBP agents.
These brave men and women risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe.
Democrats’ hatred towards law enforcement is disgusting. pic.twitter.com/uePZrsB3u8
— Senate Republicans (@SenateGOP) April 23, 2026
The clip spread widely and ran on repeat on Fox News before appearing on Truth Social, where Trump issued a response:
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“Wow! Cryin’ Chuck Schumer just said, for the whole World to hear, that ‘NOBODY RESPECTS BORDER PATROL OR ICE.’ That is one of the most egregious, incorrect, unpatriotic, and dangerous statements I have EVER heard from a ‘professional’ politician. HE MUST IMMEDIATELY APOLOGIZE TO THESE GREAT PATRIOTS, AND I MEAN NOW!”
With no response from Schumer and no apology in sight, Mullin did not wait.
Appearing on Fox News shortly before Trump’s post, the DHS secretary delivered his own reaction. “It makes my ears red. It takes a lot to get me upset. But Chuck Schumer, no one respects you. The definition of a lying scumbag politician, that is you. You would be the definition if you Googled you right now.”
He kept going. “How about he walks around these city streets without a detail? I wonder how safe he would feel.”
A reasonable question, undermined slightly by the fact that Mullin himself has a security detail. The suggestion was made anyway.
The moment also lands in a broader standoff.
DHS has been operating without formal funding since February, when a partial government shutdown cut off its budget. The standoff has now stretched 68 days.
Schumer’s remarks were part of his opposition to a Republican plan designed to fund ICE and Border Patrol for three years without Democratic support.
That plan moved forward regardless.
Clearing the Senate in the early hours of Thursday, the $70 billion non-binding budget resolution now heads to the House, having secured no votes from Democrats.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
