Congressman Al Green (D) accused President Donald Trump (R) of creating conditions that have led to deadly ICE encounters and claimed Trump would pardon ICE officers if they were convicted of federal crimes.
Al Green criticizes Trump on the House floor.
Rep. Green delivered remarks on the House floor, criticizing President Donald Trump's immigration policies and his handling of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Green argued that Trump bears responsibility for recent deaths involving ICE operations because of his leadership and influence over immigration enforcement.
During his speech, Green claimed the President has encouraged aggressive tactics by ICE officers rather than allowing arrests to occur under less dangerous circumstances.
Referring to Trump's public statements, Green said the President has made key decisions about how officers should conduct enforcement operations while using calls for officers to act "judiciously" as political cover.
Warns of a potential "cover-up"
Green also suggested there could be efforts to shield officers from accountability if federal crimes are found.
Rep. Al Green: "There may be a cover-up in this case, and if there is a conviction in the federal court, there will be a cleanup."
Green went on to argue that Trump exerts significant influence over government institutions and expressed concern about how future cases could be handled.
Predicts presidential pardons
Green concluded his remarks by predicting that President Trump would pardon ICE officers if they were convicted of federal crimes.
Rep. Al Green: "Without a question, reservation, or hesitation, I believe that you, Mr. President, will pardon the persons who have taken these lives."
Green did not present evidence that any such pardons are planned or under consideration, instead describing his remarks as his personal belief about what he expects the President would do.
The Bottom Line
Rep. Green used a House floor speech to accuse President Trump of fostering aggressive ICE enforcement, warn of what he described as a potential cover-up involving officer misconduct, and predict that Trump would pardon ICE officers if they were convicted of federal crimes.
