At a Glance
- Philadelphia officials gathered Wednesday to condemn ICE operations after a U.S. citizen was shot and killed by Department of Homeland Security agents in Minneapolis.
- District Attorney Larry Krasner pledged to arrest and prosecute federal agents who act unlawfully in the city, emphasizing they cannot be pardoned by the President.
- Bucks County ended its partnership with ICE on the same day, citing similar safety concerns.
- Why it matters: Local leaders say ICE actions now threaten all residents, not just immigrants, and promise legal action against federal agents who overstep.
Philadelphia’s top prosecutors and lawmakers gathered Wednesday at Salt and Light Church in Kingsessing to announce a united front against ICE operations they say endanger all city residents. The meeting came hours after Bucks County severed ties with the federal agency, and one day after 37-year-old American citizen Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by Department of Homeland Security agents in Minneapolis.
Officials Denounce Federal Tactics
City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier opened the press conference by praising Philadelphia’s immigrant community and accusing the Trump administration of using “fake outrage” to distract from what she called “dangerous threats” against local leaders.
“We should be honored that immigrants think that our city is worth so much,” Gauthier said. She argued ICE’s agenda has expanded beyond immigration enforcement, citing Good’s death as evidence that American citizens now face danger from federal agents.
Gauthier described federal officers as “masked secret police with bloodlust” and vowed the coalition would “keep doing everything we can to keep Philadelphians safe from a rogue president.”
Council Promises Protection
Fellow Councilmember Rue Landau delivered a direct warning to ICE: “Do not come to Philadelphia. If you’re already here, don’t even think about descending on Philadelphia. We will protect folks around here. We have a coalition that is ready for you.”
Landau emphasized ongoing partnerships between community groups, legislators and city police, saying they are “rowing in the same direction” to protect residents.
District Attorney Draws Moral Line
District Attorney Larry Krasner framed the conflict in stark terms: “This is ultimately about good versus evil. That’s what it is. It’s about good versus evil.”
He claimed to have received reports of Americans calling local police after being shot by ICE agents, questioning what it means when citizens need protection from their own government’s officers.
“What does it mean? It means that we are talking about good versus evil. We are talking about unchecked power,” Krasner said.
| Official | Position | Key Promise |
|---|---|---|
| Larry Krasner | District Attorney | Prosecute federal agents who act unlawfully |
| Rochelle Bilal | Sheriff | Arrest ICE agents who break laws |
| Jamie Gauthier | City Councilmember | Protect all residents from federal overreach |
| Rue Landau | City Councilmember | Block ICE operations in Philadelphia |
Sheriff Issues Warning
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal promised “smoke” for any ICE agent who believes they can operate without accountability in the city.
“When I say, you don’t want this smoke, the smoke is from both sides,” Bilal said. “The sheriff’s office is obligated because we believe in the Constitution of the United States. We follow the law and the smoke means, you will get arrested, you will get prosecuted and you will go to jail.”
Legal Authority Claimed
Krasner closed the event by asserting local authority over federal agents, stating that law allows cities to arrest and prosecute federal officers who commit crimes. He emphasized that presidents cannot pardon convictions at the state level.
“What the law says is very clear, very clear, very clear, do you hear me JD Vance?” Krasner asked rhetorically, addressing the Vice President. “What the law says is federal officers can’t murder you.”
The District Attorney detailed the process his office would follow: “We will arrest you. We will handcuff you. We will close those cuffs. We will put you in a cell. We will set your bail and I’m going to ask for it to be appropriately high. We will take you to trial and I’m going to do everything in my power to convict you and we will make sure you serve your entire sentence because Donald Trump has no power, whatsoever, to pardon you.”
Broader Movement
The Philadelphia press conference coincided with Bucks County’s decision to end its partnership with ICE, suggesting growing local resistance to federal immigration enforcement tactics. Officials presented a unified front, with speakers from city council, the district attorney’s office and the sheriff’s department all pledging to resist what they characterize as federal overreach.
The event drew no mention of specific ICE operations currently planned for Philadelphia, but leaders emphasized their readiness to respond should federal agents act unlawfully within city limits.
Key Takeaways:
- Philadelphia officials vow to arrest ICE agents who break laws
- Local leaders claim federal agents now threaten all residents, not just immigrants
- District Attorney promises prosecution and high bail for federal agents
- Sheriff’s department pledges constitutional enforcement against federal overreach
