Michelle Wu Sparks National Uproar by Calling Masked ICE Agents ‘Secret Police’ and Comparing Them to Neo-Nazis
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is facing scathing backlash from federal officials after likening ICE agents to neo-Nazis and accusing them of operating like “secret police” during a series of controversial remarks that stunned both DHS leadership and the White House.
Wu made the inflammatory statements on Wednesday, criticizing the use of masks by ICE agents and comparing them to NSC-131, a known neo-Nazi group active in New England. “I don’t know of any police department that routinely wears masks,” Wu said. “We know there are other groups that do—like NSC-131.” Her implication triggered immediate outrage.
Critics quickly pointed out the false equivalency: ICE agents are not police officers, but federal law enforcement officials under the Department of Homeland Security who wear masks for security and tactical reasons, including to avoid retaliation from dangerous criminal networks.
DHS, White House Slam “Sickening” Comments
DHS issued a rare and direct rebuke, calling Wu’s statements “sickening” in a post on X. The department emphasized that ICE agents always identify themselves as law enforcement and wear masks to protect themselves from gang members, rapists, and murderers.
The White House also condemned Wu in a formal statement, calling her comments “disgusting, dangerous attacks” that incite violence against federal agents.
“Because of dangerous, unhinged smears from the Left, ICE officers are facing a 413% increase in assaults,” said White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson. “President Trump is keeping his promise to deport illegal aliens, and it’s disturbing that Democrats like Mayor Wu would rather protect criminals than support our law enforcement.”
ICE Director Defends Agents
At a news conference, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons responded firmly, announcing the arrest of approximately 1,500 ICE targets in Massachusetts in recent weeks. “I’m sorry if people are offended by them wearing masks,” Lyons said, “but I’m not going to let my officers and agents put their lives and families on the line because people don’t like how immigration enforcement looks.”
Wu Tries to Walk Back — But Refuses to Apologize
When pressed by reporters, Wu attempted to backpedal slightly, claiming her comments only referred to local police. But in a separate interview with WBUR, she went further—accusing ICE agents of kidnapping people off the streets, failing to justify arrests, and “causing harm in our local communities.”
“Folks getting snatched off the street by secret police… every aspect of what’s happening at the federal level is causing harm,” Wu said.
Her remarks drew national scrutiny, not only for their incendiary tone but for misrepresenting the role of ICE and minimizing the threat posed by the criminal illegal aliens they target. Federal officials later released mugshots of sex offenders, murderers, and kidnappers arrested in recent operations—individuals Wu and her administration have refused to assist in deporting.
A Dangerous Double Standard
Wu’s comments come as part of a broader trend of Democrat-led cities vilifying federal law enforcement, even as crime surges and ICE faces unprecedented threats. Critics say comparing ICE to hate groups is not only inflammatory and dishonest, but it also places officers’ lives at risk.
As President Trump’s administration continues its aggressive deportation agenda, the White House made clear that smearing law enforcement won’t be tolerated.
“It’s time Democrats stop siding with criminals and start standing up for the Americans ICE protects every day,” Jackson said.
