Rep. Garcia says government shutdown over ICE funding should be on the table

Rep. Robert Garcia said a government shutdown over ICE funding should be on the table to press for accountability and reforms; he also called for abolishing ICE and the impeachment of Kristi Noem.

Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia of California told Katy Tur on MSNBC that a government shutdown over ICE funding should be on the table. He spoke as the ranking member of the Oversight Committee and addressed public outrage over recent federal law enforcement actions. Garcia said recent incidents involving federal agents have harmed civilians and violated due process. He presented funding negotiations as a moment of leverage to press for accountability and institutional change. What he said: - He said a government shutdown over ICE funding "should absolutely be on the table" as a means to demand accountability and reforms. - He argued that ICE in its current form cannot be reformed and should be abolished. - He called for the impeachment of Kristi Noem and said leaders must be held accountable for agency actions. - He urged Senate Democrats to use funding talks to seek measures such as unmasking agents, independent investigations, and withdrawing federal forces from places like Minneapolis. - He said some functions handled by ICE today could be reassigned to other agencies and that the agency expanded in recent years. Summary: Rep. Garcia framed a potential government shutdown as leverage to push for oversight, accountability, and structural change at ICE and DHS. He advocated abolishing ICE and pursuing impeachment of Kristi Noem, and urged that funding negotiations include demands such as independent investigations and unmasking agents. How lawmakers will proceed is undetermined at this time.