Top Trump administration officials are unhappy about how ICE officials are currently enforcing the highly publicized immigration crackdown, according to a new report by the Washington Examiner.
The outlet quoted sources who took part or talked with people who were in a tense meeting between White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and dozens of senior U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Washington in late May.
The meeting in quesiton had been reported last week by Axios, which confirmed its combative tone and noted that that Miller and Noem demanded ICE target 3,000 arrests per day—triple the daily average from early in Trump's first term. Two sources added back then that Miller's tone left attendees feeling their jobs could be at risk if goals weren't met. A third source characterized the tone as an attempt to motivate.
According to the Examiner, Miller "eviscerated everyone," telling the room: "you guys aren't doing a good job," and "you're horrible leaders." One official said Miller asked , "Why aren't you at Home Depot? Why aren't you at 7-Eleven?"
Tensions escalated when one ICE official pushed back, noting that operations had focused on arresting criminal illegal immigrants, aligning with public messaging from the Department of Homeland Security. Miller reportedly responded with disdain: "What do you mean you're going after criminals?" He then dismissed ICE's messaging, saying, "That's what Tom Homan says every time he's on TV."
One official described the atmosphere within ICE leadership as "a fearful environment," adding, "Everybody in leadership is afraid... There's no morale. Everybody is demoralized."
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also addressed the group, reportedly saying, "You guys are doing an OK job, but you're not doing enough. You need to do more."
ICE later announced a "leadership realignment," including the departure of acting Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) chief Ken Genalo. While ICE cited family reasons, a former senior DHS official told the Washington Examiner, "Ken was told he had to go."
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