Blue Cities Clash with ICE

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary

Title: Blue Cities Clash with ICE
Host/Author: The Daily Wire
Release Date: June 1, 2025

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Introduction

In the June 1, 2025 episode of Morning Wire, Daily Wire's Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and co-host Georgia Howe delve into the escalating conflict between sanctuary cities and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Titled "Blue Cities Clash with ICE," the episode spotlights the ongoing tensions in Nashville, Tennessee, where local officials are increasingly obstructing federal immigration enforcement efforts.

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Investigation into Nashville's Obstruction of ICE

Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, spearheads the discussion by announcing a congressional investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell and his administration's actions against ICE operations.

At [01:25], Congressman Ogles explains:

"We've launched an investigation into the office of Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell. They claim that the city officials are actively obstructing ICE."

Ogles highlights that Mayor O'Connell's administration has issued executive orders mandating local law enforcement to report any interactions with federal agents and encouraging citizens to file complaints against such interactions.

Firredie O'Connell's Statement

In response to growing fears over family separations and community safety, Mayor O'Connell addressed the public:

"I'm heartbroken that today many of our neighbors in Nashville are experiencing fear over family separation rather than the safety we all deserve. I'm doing everything in my power, consistent with applicable law, to protect anyone who calls Nashville home."
[01:54]

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Obstruction Tactics by Local Officials

Congressman Ogles provides specific examples of how Nashville officials are hindering ICE operations. He cites State Representative Afton Ben's direct interference with ICE vehicles:

"She recorded herself and she put it on social media where she was blocking ICE vehicles... She even admitted to delaying ICE vehicles as they were trying to conduct operations. And so that's a crime, ladies and gentlemen."
[04:00]

Representative Ben documented herself obstructing four separate ICE vehicles, actions that Ogles deems criminal and detrimental to federal law enforcement efforts.

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Consequences of Obstructing ICE

Ogles emphasizes the broader implications of such obstructions:

"We've had a 400% increase in attacks against law enforcement across the country. So when these mayors are making local law enforcement the bad guys, this feeds into that loop where you see more violence against our law enforcement."
[04:26]

He warns that undermining ICE not only hinders deportation efforts but also emboldens criminal gangs, leading to heightened violence and insecurity in communities.

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The Threat of Criminal Gangs

Addressing national security concerns, Ogles discusses the infiltration of violent gangs, specifically Ms.13 and Trineder Wagwa, across the United States:

"These gangs are sophisticated. They're in every city in our country. They have very sophisticated surveillance equipment, tactical equipment... These are cartels and criminal enterprises that are moving and sweeping across our country."
[06:05]

He shares a harrowing account from a classified briefing about a deportee in El Salvador:

"He said, 'homicide.' How many people did you kill? He said, 50."
[07:00]

This individual, who immigrated to the U.S. at 13, was involved in multiple homicides, underscoring the severe criminal profiles among those targeted for deportation.

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Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Ogles critiques the involvement of NGOs in immigration processes:

"Under the Biden administration, there was a whole economy set up by nonprofits who were making money off bringing people into this country... These nonprofits, whether they mean to or have ill will or not, they're literally undermining our cities and our communities."
[05:54]

He argues that these organizations facilitate illegal immigration by providing resources that enable immigrants to settle and integrate without contributing positively to their new communities.

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Congressman Ogles’ Stance and Future Actions

Reiterating his commitment to national security and community safety, Ogles outlines the steps Congress is taking:

"The Homeland Security Committee and the Judiciary Committee will be launching a joint investigation into Nashville and the mayor. We're going to hold cities accountable if they impede federal law enforcement."
[04:26]

He underscores the bipartisan efforts, mentioning Senator Marsha Blackburn's similar initiatives in the Senate, to ensure comprehensive oversight and enforcement of immigration laws.

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Conclusion

The episode "Blue Cities Clash with ICE" presents a stern critique of sanctuary policies in major cities like Nashville, highlighting the tangible impacts on law enforcement efficacy and community safety. Congressman Andy Ogles passionately advocates for stringent measures to counteract what he perceives as obstructive tactics by local officials and NGOs, emphasizing the need to uphold federal immigration laws to protect American communities from escalating gang-related violence.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Ogles [01:25]: "We've launched an investigation into the office of Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell. They claim that the city officials are actively obstructing ICE."

• Freddie O'Connell [01:54]: "I'm heartbroken that today many of our neighbors in Nashville are experiencing fear over family separation rather than the safety we all deserve."

• Andy Ogles [04:00]: "She even admitted to delaying ICE vehicles as they were trying to conduct operations. And so that's a crime, ladies and gentlemen."

• Andy Ogles [04:26]: "We've had a 400% increase in attacks against law enforcement across the country."

• Andy Ogles [05:54]: "Under the Biden administration, there was a whole economy set up by nonprofits who were making money off bringing people into this country."

• Andy Ogles [06:05]: "These gangs are sophisticated. They're in every city in our country."

• Andy Ogles [07:00]: "He said, 'homicide.' How many people did you kill? He said, 50."

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and viewpoints presented in the "Blue Cities Clash with ICE" episode, providing listeners with an in-depth understanding of the ongoing debates surrounding immigration enforcement and local government policies.

Transcript

[John Bickley]

As illegal immigrant gangs grow across the US Trump border czar Tom Homan has.

[Andy Ogles]

Been leading ICE raids in cities across the country targeting these criminal illegals.

[John Bickley]

But some so called sanctuary city officials are working hard to hinder that crackdown. One of those cities is Nashville. And now Congress has opened an investigation into the mayor's office.

[Andy Ogles]

You can have a woke mayor who wants to cry and whine in his Cheerios about it, but I'm going to say we're going to stand with the President. We're going to stand with Pam Bondi, we're going to stand with Oxford.

[John Bickley]

I'm executive editor John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Sunday, June 1st, and this is a weekend edition of Morning Wire.

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[John Bickley]

Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles, who sits on the Homeland Security Committee, announced this week that they've launched an investigation into the office of Nashville Mayor Freddie o' Connell. They claim that the city officials are actively obstructing ice. The congressman joins us now. Congressman Ogles, thank you so much for joining us.

[Andy Ogles]

Absolutely. I appreciate you having me.

[John Bickley]

So you've announced an investigation this week. What exactly are you looking into?

[Andy Ogles]

Yeah, well, so what you've seen across the country is increased activity and deportations by ICE and Homeland Security. And the mayor of Nashville came out with this executive order and he's requiring law enforcement to report any interactions with federal so local law enforcement with federal law enforcement. But he's also encouraged citizens or civilians to report.

[Freddie O'Connell]

Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us on short notice. This is a tough moment and I am heartbroken that today many of our neighbors in Nashville are experiencing fear over family separation rather than the safety we all deserve. The trauma inflicted on families is long lasting and I'm doing everything in my power, consistent with applicable law to protect anyone who calls Nashville home. What's clear today is that people who do not share our values of safety and community have the authority to cause deep community harm.

[Andy Ogles]

So there's this community oversight board. He said, hey, if you see Metro Police helping law enforcement, federal law enforcement, well, we want you to file a complaint against them. So the mayor of Nashville is making local PD who are just trying to do their jobs the bad guy. And the problem with that, aside from aiding and abetting and impeding federal law enforcement, is this. We've had a 400% increase in attacks against law enforcement across the country. So when these mayors are making local law enforcement the bad guys, this feeds into that loop where you see more violence against our law enforcement. And as someone who's on the homeland security committee, I just received a classified briefing, and what I can tell you is that Ms.13 and Trinder Wagwa, they're all over the country. They're in Nashville. They're in our small cities like Columbia and Tullahoma. And so if we don't fight back, if we don't take our cities and our street back. Streets back, you're going to wake up and you're going to see those gang members on the street corner in front of your elementary and middle schools, and then it'll be too late.

[John Bickley]

So we're seeing this across the country. Nashville, obviously a major focus for you being from Tennessee. Have we actually seen officials in Nashville working against ice, obstructing ICE to thwart their operations?

[Andy Ogles]

Absolutely. So that's one of the things we're going to be looking at. So we're looking at the city of Nashville and the mayor to see if there's been actual actions or federal monies that have flowed through the city to illegals. Then also you saw the state rep, afton Ben, who used her vehicle. She recorded herself and she put it on social media where she was blocking ICE vehicles.

[Afton Ben]

Got our girl squad, and we're bullying the ICE vehicles and state troopers. So this is like, this is a win. Your favorite blonde state rep, her phone's always at 1%. I think my superlative is most likely to always have her phone at 1%. So, okay, so we're waiting for my phone to charge. Let me send this to Emily and the girl. There we go. Okay. Did he let them go?

[Andy Ogles]

She even admitted to blocking four different. Delaying. Delaying was the word she used. ICE vehicles as they were trying to conduct operations. And so that's a crime, ladies and gentlemen. And so. So the homeland security committee, which I'm on, and the judiciary committee, that's Jim Jordan, will be launching a joint investigation into Nashville. The. The mayor. But then also, this is a message to cities and. And mayors across the country if you impede federal law enforcement in their duties, in their directive to follow the president, President Trump, to say it's time that we start deporting these folks, we're going to be looking into your city and where applicable, we're going to hold you accountable. So there's a lot of work to be done here. What I can say is Senator Marsha Blackburn is doing something similar in the Senate. So you're going to have the House and the Senate both working on this. Obviously, I'm the one who called for the investigation in the House. And the other thing to keep in mind is Nashville is a through city. So whether it's human trafficking, whether it's drugs, whether it's guns, geographically, we're about six hours from most of the population in the country. So if you look at a map and you draw a big ring, with the exception of the West Coast, Chicago, New York, you know, you can get almost anywhere in the country from Nashville. So the gangs, the violent gangs in Central and South America, they want strongholds in Nashville. They want to take over Nashville. And the more competition and the more fighting, the more violence you're going to see on our streets. And I'm not going to stand for it. And heck, I'll go out there and I'll help ice, but we're going to find these people, we're going to get them off our streets.

[John Bickley]

Now, you mentioned an NGO in your order for communications records. Have you seen NGOs playing a role in general across the country in this effort to shield or enable illegal immigrants?

[Andy Ogles]

Oh, absolutely. You know, under the Biden administration, there was a whole, you know, economy essentially set up by nonprofits who were making money off bringing people into this country. So someone would come across the border, then they would swoop in, get them housing, get them benefits, and then they would profit off of it from the federal government. President Trump is putting an end to that type of nonsense. And literally, you have these nonprofits, whether they mean to or have ill will or not, they're literally undermining our cities and our communities. And I go back to that classified briefing, which I can't give great detail on, but I can tell you that these gangs are sophisticated. They're in every city in our country. They have very sophisticated surveillance equipment, tactical equipment. I mean, this isn't just some thug on the street selling drugs. These are cartels and criminal enterprises that are moving and sweeping across our country. And so this idea that, oh, they're just the Abrego case, he's just a father of three. No, he's a member of a gang. I was just invited by the president of El Salvador to come to El Salvador to see the notorious Sea Cot prison. And the folks that are being deported that are going to that prison are the worst of the worst. I literally talked to one of them, by the way, one of them was from Nashville. But I talked to another individual. He said, you know, why are you here? He said, homicide. Just as you and I are talking, just very plain, not animated, he said, homicide. How many people did you kill? He said, 50. So this is a young man. He came to this country at 13. He joined the gangs. He was moving in between, like Virginia and New Hampshire. And in that time, he had killed 50 people. And this is who we're deporting. And so when the mayor of Nashville, when this state rep in Nashville is standing up and defending these people, we literally caught rapists and murderers and child traffickers and human smugglers and drug dealers. This is who was caught up by ice. This is who we're trying to deport. And I, for one, am going to stand with my community, my state, my country. And these people should not be in our communities.

[John Bickley]

Well, there continues to be very strong support for deporting criminal illegal aliens. So a lot of people backing this effort. Congressman Ogles, thank you so much for joining us.

[Andy Ogles]

Absolutely. I appreciate you having me. This is Dr. Jordan B. Peterson. Watch Parenting, available exclusively on Daily Wire.

[John Bickley]

Plus, we're dealing with misbehaviors with our son. Our 13 year old throws tantrums.

[Andy Ogles]

Our son turned to do some substance abuse. Go to dailywireplus.com today.