Dem Rep. Boyle Dismisses GOP Attempts to Tie Abolish ICE to Defund Police

Boyle says Republicans are trying to distract from their 'pitiful record in office'

Feb. 6, 2026 at 4:15am

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In an interview, Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) responded to questions about whether Democrats will be tied to comparisons between ICE and Nazis when abolish ICE is compared to pushes to defund the police. Boyle said the only people using the term 'defund the police' are Republicans, and that he has never supported that rhetoric. He believes Republicans are trying to distract from their own record by focusing on these issues.

Why it matters

The debate over abolishing ICE and defunding the police has become a major political flashpoint, with Republicans seeking to tie the two issues together and paint Democrats as extremists. Boyle's comments suggest Democrats will push back against these attempts to distract from other issues.

The details

In the interview, Boyle said he has never supported 'defund the police' rhetoric, and that the only people using that term are Republicans trying to paint Democrats with it. He believes Republicans are trying to distract from their own record in office, which he says Democrats are outperforming in special elections. Boyle added that he thinks reforming ICE is the right policy.

  • The interview took place on Thursday, February 6, 2026.

The players

Rep. Brendan Boyle

A Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania who was interviewed about the debate over abolishing ICE and defunding the police.

Sen. Ted Cruz

A Republican Senator from Texas who was critical of Democrats' use of the term 'Nazi' in comparisons to ICE.

Larry Krasner

The Democratic District Attorney of Philadelphia who was cited in the interview.

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What they’re saying

“First, the only people I hear using the term defund the police anymore are Republicans saying that Democrats stand for that, when that's patently false. I have never stood for that and have, actually, publicly, going back years, criticized that sort of rhetoric that, again, I don't know one elected Democratic colleague of mine in Congress who supports that or uses that phrase.”

— Rep. Brendan Boyle, Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania (Bloomberg's 'Balance of Power')

“I do understand, though, why Ted Cruz and other Republicans want to distract from the issues. Because, let's face it, they're very afraid about this November midterm election.”

— Rep. Brendan Boyle, Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania (Bloomberg's 'Balance of Power')

What’s next

The debate over abolishing ICE and defunding the police is likely to continue to be a major political issue leading up to the 2026 midterm elections.

The takeaway

This interview highlights the political tensions around these issues, with Democrats pushing back against Republican attempts to tie them together and paint Democrats as extremists. The focus appears to be on shifting the conversation to the GOP's own record in office.