Rep. Ilhan Omar Calls for Dismantling Department of Homeland Security

Says Growing Support Among Democrats to Abolish DHS and ICE

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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In a town hall meeting, Rep. Ilhan Omar stated that there is increasing support among Democrats to dismantle the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), going beyond just abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Omar claimed the policies of the Trump administration have changed many Democrats' minds on this issue.

Why it matters

The Department of Homeland Security oversees a wide range of critical national security and public safety functions, including border security, airport screening, disaster response, cyber defense, and protection of government officials and infrastructure. Calls to dismantle DHS represent a significant shift in the Democratic party's approach to these vital government agencies.

The details

During the town hall, Omar said that while most Democrats were resistant to the idea when she arrived in Congress in 2019, the policies of the Trump administration are changing their minds. 'What I will say is that there is an easier conversation happening today than six, seven years ago when I got to Congress, about what we need to do with ICE, which is to abolish it,' Omar told the audience. 'There is a lot of conversation about what the dismantlement of the Department of Homeland Security should look like.'

  • Rep. Ilhan Omar made these comments at a town hall meeting on February 19, 2026.

The players

Rep. Ilhan Omar

A Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Minnesota's 5th congressional district.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

A federal executive department responsible for public security, including border security, airport screening, disaster response, cyber defense, and protection of government officials and infrastructure.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

A federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security that enforces immigration laws.

Stephen Miller

A former senior advisor to President Trump, widely seen as an architect of the administration's immigration policies.

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What they’re saying

“What I will say is that there is an easier conversation happening today than six, seven years ago when I got to Congress, about what we need to do with ICE, which is to abolish it. There is a lot of conversation about what the dismantlement of the Department of Homeland Security should look like.”

— Rep. Ilhan Omar (town hall meeting)

“When we say there needs to be accountability for the architect of the terror we are facing in Minneapolis and so many other cities, which is Stephen Miller, we mean we need accountability for him now.”

— Rep. Ilhan Omar (town hall meeting)

What’s next

It remains to be seen whether the growing support among Democrats to dismantle DHS and ICE will translate into concrete legislative action if the party regains control of Congress and the White House.

The takeaway

Rep. Ilhan Omar's calls to abolish ICE and dismantle the Department of Homeland Security represent a significant shift in the Democratic party's approach to national security and public safety agencies. This reflects the growing influence of progressive voices within the party, but also raises concerns about the potential impacts on critical government functions.