A Texas Republican who once backed President Donald Trump is now accusing his administration of “destroying families” after ICE detained his Venezuelan fiancée — a turn of events that has sparked a wave of unsympathetic reactions online.
John Gannon, 75, told CBS News he regrets casting his vote for Trump after his fiancée, 45-year-old Yasmin Suarez Reyes, was taken into custody last month by eight ICE agents at a Houston airport, allegedly without being given an explanation.
“I voted for Trump. They are picking up law-abiding citizens. They’re destroying families, jobs,” the businessman said in the interview.
Gannon went even further, saying the experience felt deeply un-American. “Seriously, it reminds me of a Gestapo system,” he added. “I would never have thought the United States would act this way.”
The story quickly gained traction across social media, where many commenters showed little sympathy, mocking what they described as Gannon’s sudden outrage while also taking aim at the couple’s 30-year age difference.
“The mark of a true Republican is the ability to tolerate even the most egregious government overreach, as long as it’s happening to someone else,” one user wrote.
Another commenter put it more bluntly: “It’s amazing how quickly cruelty becomes unacceptable when it finally knocks on your own door.”
A third user mocked the relationship directly, writing: “John is deeply upset his three-decades-younger mail-order bride is gonna be deported,” followed by a laughing-face emoji.
John Gannon, 75, of Texas, told CBS he regrets supporting Trump after his 45-year-old fiancée, Yasmin Suarez Reyes, was arrested by eight ICE agents at an airport last month
Reyes was detained on July 24 at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport to fly to Las Vegas for a furniture convention
Reyes, a Venezuelan citizen with Spanish citizenship, legally entered the US in October 2023 on a 90-day visa before later applying for asylum – a case that remains ongoing
‘If I’m 75 I should be able to buy a 25 year old hot Latina without Trump trying to deport her,’ said another sarcastically. ‘I thought this was America.’
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also hit back in a fiery statement on X, claiming Reyes had overstayed her lawful admission by more than two years – despite having a pending immigration application.
‘REMINDER: A pending immigration application does NOT confer legal status,’ the department wrote. Don’t be like Yasmin – take advantage of our CBP Home offer and get $2,600 AND a FREE flight home.’
The wave of reactions came after Gannon broke his silence on Reyes’ sudden detention during a Wednesday interview with CBS Mornings, where he revealed their wedding plans have been thrown into uncertainty.
Reyes, a Venezuelan citizen with Spanish citizenship, legally entered the US in October 2023 on a 90-day visa before later applying for asylum – a case that remains ongoing.
Meanwhile, Gannon owns more than 1,000 billboards across the US and several businesses in Mexico, including a hotel and a restaurant.
His nightmare began on July 24, when he said he and his fiancée arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport to fly to Las Vegas, where they planned to attend a furniture convention.
The airport experience initially appeared entirely routine, with the couple signing up for CLEAR to avoid lengthy security lines before successfully making it through.
Gannon said Reyes had no criminal history and pending paperwork, accusing ICE agents of ‘ignoring’ the truth and acting as if they can ‘do whatever they want’
Gannon said he watched in ‘total disbelief’ as eight ICE agents swarmed and detained Reyes before wrestling her into a waiting car
Gannon said he spent 10 days without answers. ICE’s detainee locator showed Reyes behind bars at the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe
They then settled into the United Club to await their flight – but Reyes would never make it to the gate.
‘As we came out of the United Club, there were eight officers there that swarmed her,’ Gannon said, according to the outlet. ‘Nobody told us anything about any charges. They didn’t even identify themselves.’
He said he watched in ‘total disbelief’ as agents detained Reyes and wrestled her into a waiting car, where she was taken into ICE custody.
‘You never think, or I never thought a guy like me would ever be involved in something like this,’ Gannon said during the interview.
‘Nothing like this has ever happened to me,’ he added. ‘I have several businesses. I’m a law-abiding citizen and I pay a lot of tax.’
Gannon said he spent 10 days without answers, eventually learning that a scheduled hearing had been canceled because officials had not yet completed the paperwork needed to move forward with Reyes’ case.
He noted that she had no criminal history and pending paperwork, accusing ICE agents of ‘ignoring’ the truth and acting as if they can ‘do whatever they want.’
When asked how he felt about the US taking away the woman he intended to marry, Gannon responded: ‘I feel totally betrayed.’
The Texas businessman also blasted the Trump administration’s claim that its nationwide crackdown is aimed at the ‘worst of the worst,’ insisting: ‘That’s just not true.’
Instead, he claimed authorities are going after what he called ‘easy, soft pickings.’
Gannon was quick to stress that his criticism was not politically motivated – he voted for Trump in the most recent election.
‘I wouldn’t do that again,’ he revealed. ‘Not after this fiasco. I don’t know what’s happened to him. I think he’s hit with a little dementia or something.’
During his appearance, he was reminded that Trump made mass deportations a major promise of his 2024 campaign, with the interviewer pointing out that this is arguably what that promise looks like.
But Gannon disagreed, arguing: ‘They’re not going after the hard guys. That’s too difficult,’ Gannon said. ‘It’s easier to pick them up at the airport, you know, it’s like shooting fish in a barrel.’
Once a loyal Trump voter, Gannon said he would have just one question for the President if given the chance to confront him face-to-face: ‘What are you doing?’
‘Go after the criminals. We’re all for that. But leave the mom and pops and the kids alone,’ he added. ‘Man, he’s destroying families.’
When asked how he felt about the US taking away the woman he intended to marry, Gannon responded: ‘I feel totally betrayed’
Once a loyal Trump voter, Gannon said he would have just one question for the president now: ‘What are you doing?’
‘This is not what I voted for and this is not what I believe the American system should be.’
Gannon revealed that his fiancée is now crammed into a cell with 60 to 80 other women in what he called ‘horrible’ conditions, as he fights alongside state leaders and senators to get her released on an ankle monitor.
In tears, Gannon spoke about what Reyes means to him, describing her as ‘good as gold.’ His voice shaking, he added simply: ‘I love Yasmin. That’s it.’
The interview has exploded online, racking up more than 45,000 YouTube views and thousands of comments from viewers who insisted the 75-year-old was no victim – he was simply ‘getting what he voted for.’
‘Privilege at its finest,’ one comment read.
Another said: ‘Give me a break! How about asking him if he cared before his fiancée was snatched. No worries. I know the answer. No, he didn’t.’
‘The Republicans are the most oblivious people! He’s upset because they took HIS Yasmin, who isn’t a criminal, has overstayed her visa and applied for asylum but he doesn’t even think to equate this with what ICE is doing Everywhere!’ a user added. ‘This is what YOU voted for, fool!’
Reyes’ immigration attorney, Anne Kennedy, told CBS that she legally entered the US in 2023 under the Visa Waiver Program.
Gannon told CBS: ‘Nothing like this has ever happened to me. I have several businesses. I’m a law-abiding citizen and I pay a lot of tax’
Gannon revealed that his fiancée is now crammed into a cell with 60 to 80 other women in what he called ‘horrible’ conditions
Reyes’ immigration attorney, Anne Kennedy, said she secured Reyes a work permit and a Texas driver’s license, allowing her to work and drive legally in the state
As a Spanish citizen, she is among nationals of more than 40 countries eligible to enter the US visa-free for tourism or temporary business.
While the program typically permits stays of up to 90 days, Reyes applied for asylum with US Citizenship and Immigration Services in January 2024, before her 90-day period had expired. The asylum case still remains unresolved.
In a statement to CBS, DHS confirmed that Reyes entered the US legally but stressed that she later overstayed her authorized period.
Her claims will now go before a Justice Department immigration judge, where DHS said she will receive ‘full due process.’
‘This Administration is not going to ignore the rule of law,’ the department added.
In the meantime, Kennedy said she secured her client a work permit and a Texas driver’s license, allowing her to work and drive legally in the state.
Earlier this week, ICE’s detainee locator showed Reyes behind bars at the Montgomery Processing Center in Conroe, Texas.
‘For almost two weeks now, she has been in a physical jail cell, when she has done nothing more than follow the laws of the United States and do what our immigration laws allow her to do,’ Kennedy told the outlet.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also hit back in a fiery statement on X , claiming Reyes had overstayed her lawful admission by more than two years
Gannon is now fighting alongside state leaders and senators to get Reyes released on an ankle monitor
Reyes is among the latest immigrants swept up in airport arrests nationwide, as ICE hit a record monthly high last month
Reyes is among the latest immigrants swept up in airport arrests nationwide, as ICE hit a record monthly high last month, fueled in part by a surge in detentions at airports.
Like Reyes, many caught up in ICE’s airport crackdown have valid work permits and pending immigration cases. Still, they remain vulnerable to arrest once their legal status expires, putting them in a precarious immigration limbo.
The Daily Mail has reached out to DHS for comment.
