Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal recently criticized the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), describing the agency as “fabricated and wannabe law enforcement.” She accused ICE of breaching both legal and moral standards with their operations.
District Attorney Larry Krasner of Philadelphia echoed a stern warning, emphasizing that law enforcement personnel who break the law within the city will face arrest and prosecution.
“I stand with the DA,” Bilal affirmed. “You don’t want this confrontation, because we are prepared to confront you,” she added. In a pointed remark directed at former President Donald Trump, Bilal suggested that even the president wouldn’t be able to prevent ICE agents from being incarcerated if they committed crimes.
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal made these comments during a press conference held in the city on Thursday, September 21, 2023. (Photo by Matt Rourke/AP)
Fox News Digital contacted the Department of Homeland Security on Friday for a response to Bilal’s statements.
In the past, Bilal has faced various allegations, including using department funds for promotional items such as trading cards featuring her image, and the creation of false news stories about her, reportedly generated by artificial intelligence.
Bilal and Krasner’s comments on Thursday came after an ICE agent fatally shot a driver in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
DHS indicated that the shooting was in self-defense but some have decried the officer’s action.
“Today, ICE officers in Minneapolis were conducting targeted operations when rioters began blocking ICE officers and one of these violent rioters weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them—an act of domestic terrorism,” DHS noted in a Wednesday post on X.
“An ICE officer, fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots,” DHS asserted. “The alleged perpetrator was hit and is deceased.”
