Former Trump administration border czar Tom Homan sharply criticized MSNBC host Joy Reid during an appearance on Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime,” calling her “dumber than a box of rocks” for describing recent nationwide immigration raids as “performative.”
Homan, who served as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director under the Trump administration, defended the enforcement operations, citing the arrest of over 4,500 violent criminals since last Thursday. The arrests included convicted murderers, gang members, and child sex predators, according to Homan. In his defense of the operations, he emphasized that the raids were explicitly targeting violent criminal illegal immigrants and making communities safer.
“They need to get out of the way because we’re not going to stop,” Homan said during the interview, referring to Reid and other critics of the immigration crackdown. He insisted that the enforcement efforts would continue despite opposition.
The controversy emerged after Reid and New York Attorney General Letitia James criticized the raids as reckless on MSNBC. Reid’s dismissal of the operations as “performative” sparked Homan’s forceful response on the Fox News program. During his appearance, Homan specifically addressed the characterization of the raids as mere performance, arguing that the arrests of dangerous criminals demonstrated their substantive impact.
Homan pointed to what he described as a 3,500% increase in people on terrorist watch lists under the Biden administration as justification for the enhanced enforcement efforts. He argued that the operations were necessary to prevent fentanyl deaths and combat sex trafficking. The former ICE director emphasized that the raids were part of a broader strategy to secure the border and protect American communities.
The latest enforcement actions come amid broader discussions about immigration policy. More than 271,000 immigrants were deported during the final year of the Biden administration, which faced criticism for being too lenient on immigration enforcement. Many deportations occurred despite accusations that the administration had taken a soft stance on border security.
According to media reports, Reid, who has gained attention for her regular commentary on Trump administration policies, recently accepted a salary reduction to maintain her position at MSNBC. Her anti-Trump commentary has made her a frequent subject of criticism among media analysts. The MSNBC host has consistently challenged Trump-era immigration policies through her network platform.
The exchange between Homan and Reid highlighted the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement strategies. The nationwide operations have resulted in thousands of arrests across multiple jurisdictions, with ICE targeting individuals with criminal records. The operations remain active and continue to generate discussion about the effectiveness and approach of current immigration enforcement policies.
