Democrats dropped calls to "abolish ICE" because it was an election "loser," but with control of the House, they will now "strangle" Immigration and Customs Enforcement by cutting its funding, former acting director Tom Homan said Wednesday.
"I think they've gotten away from that because they knew it was a loser before the election, but mark my word, I think ICE is going to be hit hard with budget," Homan told Fox News' "Fox & Friends." ". . . I certainly think it's going to be a struggle with the House under Democratic control because they don't want immigration enforced.
"They may not abolish ICE, but they're going to strangle them on funding."
The Democrats' effort to cut ICE will lead to "less arrests, less deportations, and more catch and release" – ostensibly open borders – Homan said.
Homan has been speculated to be a candidate to be the next Homeland Security secretary amid criticism hurled at embattled chief Kirstjen Nielsen. Homan rebuked the criticism hurled her.
"I think we need to support her," Homan said. "I think when she was asked to step up, she grabbed a bat and stepped up to the plate. So, all these people that want to attack her all the time, and attack this administration, I don't see them stepping up to the plate. They've got no mettle, and no fortitude."
Homan refused to speculate on whether he is interested in replacing Nielsen.
"I'm not going to speculate on what the president's going to do," Homan said. "I think we have a strong secretary.
". . . With immigration, 50 percent of America hates you 100 percent of the time. You can't win on this topic because it's so divisive, so controversial, so emotional, but I think she's working hard and doing a good job. . . .
"If the president's going to make a change, that's certainly his prerogative, but I really don't want to speculate what the president's going to do."
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