Jeffries Clashes with Left-Wing Podcast Host Over Demand to 'Abolish ICE'

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries rejects call to lead push to dismantle Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries clashed with left-wing podcast host Wajahat Ali during an interview on Friday. Ali demanded that Jeffries lead the push to abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, but Jeffries rejected the call, arguing that meaningful reforms to the agency would require Republican support in Congress.

Why it matters

The debate over the future of ICE has become a divisive issue within the Democratic Party, with some progressives calling for the agency's abolition while more moderate leaders like Jeffries seek reforms. This clash highlights the tensions within the party as it grapples with how to address concerns over ICE's conduct and the agency's role in immigration enforcement.

The details

During the interview, Ali accused ICE of "terrorizing" minority communities and demanded that Jeffries lead the charge to abolish the agency. Jeffries pushed back, arguing that he wants to focus on making life more affordable for Americans rather than "brutalizing or killing them." The lawmaker said he would use the language he wants to use, rejecting Ali's more confrontational approach.

  • On Friday, Jeffries clashed with podcast host Wajahat Ali during an interview.
  • In January, Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar said he intends to introduce a bill to abolish ICE.

The players

Hakeem Jeffries

House Minority Leader and a Democratic representative from New York.

Wajahat Ali

A left-wing podcast host who demanded that Jeffries lead the push to abolish ICE.

Shri Thanedar

A Democratic representative who said he intends to introduce a bill to abolish ICE.

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What they’re saying

“Leaders lead, and what we've seen is people are impressionable. If you lead on something, people will follow. It seems the wind is behind your back for the first time ever. ICE has a history, CPP has a history of terrorizing Black and Brown communities.”

— Wajahat Ali, Podcast Host (Fox News)

“I don't understand anything that you just said.”

— Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader (Fox News)

“I spoke English.”

— Wajahat Ali, Podcast Host (Fox News)

What’s next

The debate over the future of ICE is likely to continue within the Democratic Party, with progressives pushing for abolition and more moderate leaders seeking reforms. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for the party's approach to immigration enforcement.

The takeaway

This clash between Jeffries and the left-wing podcast host highlights the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party over the role and future of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. While some progressives are calling for abolition, more moderate leaders like Jeffries are seeking reforms, underscoring the challenges the party faces in developing a unified approach to this divisive issue.