During the Student Action Summit hosted by Turning Point USA in Tampa, Florida, Tom Homan, the former director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), confronted a heckler with a fiery retort, subsequently rallying support for strict immigration enforcement. The incident occurred on Saturday night, as Homan's speech was momentarily disrupted by an individual questioning his affiliation with the notorious MS-13 gang.
"You want some? Come get some." - Tom Homan
Homan, who served under the Trump administration, quickly dismissed the heckler, suggesting the individual lacked the valor to work in ICE or Border Patrol. He scorned the protester for apparently living "in his mother's basement," as the crowd chanted "U-S-A!" in a show of support for Homan's strong stance on immigration enforcement.
In the wake of escalating protests against ICE's actions, Homan stood firm, vowing to lead "the biggest deportation operation this country has ever seen." He extended a bold challenge to protesters, "You want some? Come get some," highlighting a confrontational atmosphere that has been intensifying since President Trump's recent immigration reform bill.
Homan expressed his unwavering support for the agents of ICE, recognizing them as "the finest 1% this country has" and insisting on respect for their commitment to safety and security. His speech came in response to what he described as "fake" narratives propagated by Democrats and media outlets, particularly following tense encounters in California.
Despite anticipating opposition within the summit, Homan was surprised by the absence of protesters inside the venue, though there were demonstrations outside earlier that day. These events follow on the heels of violent clashes in Los Angeles between federal officers and rioters.
The new immigration legislation has brought additional scrutiny and aggression towards federal immigration agents, evidenced by ambush attacks in Texas and protests at an ICE facility in Portland, Oregon. Homan acknowledged this growing animosity but assured that ICE agents would remain undeterred in their mission.
Praising Trump's immigration policies, Homan credited the administration with achieving unprecedented border security in a mere seven weeks, a feat he contrasted sharply with the previous administration's efforts. In a candid moment, he preemptively excused any offense his remarks might cause, stating, "Sometimes, I’m harsh. But if I offend anybody here tonight, I don’t give a s***."
Homan's articulation of a no-nonsense approach to immigration enforcement and his candid interaction with the heckler have sparked both applause and controversy among observers.
