Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin slammed sanctuary politicians Thursday as assaults on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers skyrocket under the Trump administration.

The Department of Homeland Security reported that attacks on ICE agents have increased by 1,647% under President Donald Trump in opposition to his crackdown on illegal immigration. 

The department said there have been 647 attacks on ICE agents between January 2025 and September 2026, compared to 37 under the Biden administration in the same period. 

"The brave men and women of ICE, who are simply enforcing the laws mandated by Congress and protecting the American people, are under attack every single day," Mullin told Fox News. "Since President Trump unleashed ICE to do their jobs, assaults against them have risen by more than 1,600% in the first year and a half of the administration."

Mullin blamed the increase on "vicious lies," that are being spread by "sanctuary politicians and their foot soldiers who are involved in anti-ICE riots and other acts of violence." 

"DHS is calling on these sanctuary politicians to stop attacking federal law enforcement, stop putting the needs of illegal aliens ahead of the safety of American citizens, and to start working with us to make America safe again," he said.

The department claimed some anti-ICE protesters have brandished weapons at officers, thrown objects, threatened and impeded law enforcement operations, while politicians have compared ICE operations to Nazi Germany.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.