White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt hit back at Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner on Wednesday after he warned that immigration agents could face arrest, calling his comments “outrageous.”“Responding during a press conference, the White House press secretary questioned the basis of Krasner’s comments and criticized the tone of his warning.
‘Agents are helping, not breaking the law’
The White House press secretary reported that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel were assisting travelers at airports rather than engaging in illegal activity.“He’s talking to ICE agents who are handing out water bottles and helping people get through the lines at the airports,” he said, dismissing the suggestion that the agents were committing crimes.
Strong protection of ICE personnel
Defending the agency, the White House press secretary described ICE officials as “great people” with important responsibilities.He said their work extends beyond airports to maintaining public safety across the country, including responding to serious criminal threats.The White House press secretary also took aim at Krasner’s stance, suggesting that he should speak directly to ICE personnel to understand their role rather than issuing threats.His comments underlined the administration’s steadfast defense of federal agents amid criticism from local officials.
What did Krasner say about ICE?
Earlier, Krasner had warned that federal immigration agents operating in Philadelphia could face legal consequences if they violate local laws. He insisted that anyone committing a crime within the city’s jurisdiction would be prosecuted regardless of federal authority.Krasner also said that presidential pardons would not protect individuals from local prosecution and emphasized that his office would take action if laws were broken, while also saying that his role was to uphold the Constitution and protect public safety.