GOP Senate Candidate Blames ICE Protesters for Violence, Says ICE 'Effectively Rescued' 5-Year-Old Boy

State Sen. Mark Baisley's comments draw criticism from Sen. John Hickenlooper over treatment of immigrant communities

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Colorado State Sen. Mark Baisley, a Republican Senate candidate, blamed protesters for violence in Minneapolis and said ICE agents 'effectively rescued' a 5-year-old boy who was arrested after his father fled. Baisley's comments drew criticism from Sen. John Hickenlooper, who accused Baisley of going after peaceful protesters and immigrant communities instead of addressing the incident.

Why it matters

Baisley's statements reflect an ongoing debate over immigration policy and the treatment of immigrant communities, particularly in the context of ICE enforcement actions. His remarks about limiting immigration to maintain cultural homogeneity also echo concerns about the 'Great Replacement' conspiracy theory, which has been criticized as promoting white nationalism.

The details

Baisley, a Republican Senate candidate, made the comments during a speech at the Colorado Capitol, where he blamed protesters for violence in Minneapolis and said ICE agents 'effectively rescued' a 5-year-old boy who was arrested after his father fled. However, the child's mother said she feared agents would arrest her if she opened the door, and the boy was taken into custody by ICE. Baisley has previously expressed concerns about migrants 'becoming dependent on government largess' and voting for 'the destructive culture of socialism'.

  • Baisley made the comments during a speech at the Colorado Capitol last week.
  • A few days later, Sen. John Hickenlooper posted a video of Baisley's comments on X.
  • On Feb. 2, Baisley responded to Hickenlooper's comments on KHOW radio.

The players

Mark Baisley

A Republican state senator in Colorado who is running for the U.S. Senate.

John Hickenlooper

A Democratic U.S. senator from Colorado who criticized Baisley's comments.

Janak Joshi

A former state representative who is also running in the GOP Senate primary against Baisley.

George Markert

A retired colonel who is also running in the GOP Senate primary against Baisley.

Julie Gonzales

A Democratic state senator from Denver who is running in the Democratic Senate primary.

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What they’re saying

“It endangers those people. It endangers the agents who are trying to carry out the lawful orders to remove violent people from the United States.”

— Mark Baisley, State Senator (coloradotimesrecorder.com)

“We want to keep the number of immigrants low enough so that those folks will assimilate into our culture, more than they will bring the richness of their culture.”

— Mark Baisley, State Senator (coloradotimesrecorder.com)

“American citizens shot dead. A five-year-old separated from his family and taken into custody. Masked officers tossing people into unmarked cars without due process. And you're instead going after peaceful protestors and our immigrant communities??”

— John Hickenlooper, U.S. Senator (X)

“As I understand it, the ICE agents effectively rescued that abandoned five-year-old boy, took him to his home to go hand him over to his mother, who would not open the door. So what do you do? You take care of a child like that. And they did, and they did absolutely.”

— Mark Baisley, State Senator (KHOW radio)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.