President Donald Trump has been in office for a little over a year, and our nation is experiencing record-low border crossings, violent crime is down, and the flow of deadly drugs into our communities is slowing. These statistics are primarily due to effective policies that have led to the most secure border in United States history, and are a direct result of the deportation of the worst-of-the-worst criminal illegal aliens. 

Within one year, the Trump administration has wasted no time getting the job done after the mess left behind by the Biden-Harris administration. More than 10 million illegal aliens crossed the southern border, and countless gotaways evaded Customs and Border Protection under the previous administration — all the while telling us that the border was secure. This surge followed President Joe Biden’s decision to undo major border security executive orders issued during President Donald Trump’s first term, effectively ringing the dinner bell and signaling a green light for illegal aliens.

Americans saw the consequences. An unprecedented crisis unfolded: violent crime increased, rapes, assaults, and murders rose, and fentanyl overdoses skyrocketed. This was no coincidence. 

For years, the left-wing media tried to distort this reality, but Americans didn’t fall for it. President Trump won the 2024 election largely because voters overwhelmingly supported his tough-on-crime and immigration policies.

Now, despite the statistics trending in the right direction, the media is trying to demonize our brave Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers for doing their job and protecting our communities.

The insanity that has transpired over the last few weeks is directly attributable to the media’s influence and its so-called coverage.

Across the country, including in Idaho, left-wing agitators have taken to the streets to defend child sex offenders, drug traffickers, murderers, and other violent criminals, simply because they oppose a president who is actually enforcing the law.

Let me repeat: these individuals are not protesters. They are agitators.

Agitators are targeting our officers and rioting against the deportation of convicted criminals, even as their own communities and families are made safer by these arrests.

I’m sick of hearing the lies from the media and elected officials about who the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is arresting and deporting. Their hateful rhetoric is exactly why there has been a 1,300 percent increase in assaults, a 3,200 percent in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000 percent increase in death threats against ICE agents. What ICE officers and other law enforcement professionals are facing right now is disgraceful.

DHS and ICE have been abundantly clear about who they are arresting and deporting. Over the last year, DHS has publicly released detailed information — including names, countries of origin, criminal histories, and even gang affiliations — so Americans know exactly who is being removed from our communities. Don’t believe me? I’ll save you some time.

For example, in Idaho, DHS has publicly identified the criminal illegal aliens who have been arrested and deported for rape, domestic violence, cruelty toward children, driving under the influence, fraud, dangerous drug possession, and the list goes on. 

These criminal illegal aliens convicted of serious offenses were in our neighborhoods, near our schools, and driving on our roads. These are not innocent victims. These are offenders who had no legal right to be in the United States and every reason to be removed.

I support law enforcement by removing the worst of the worst from our communities. I am grateful to know that my family, loved ones, and constituents are safer because our towns are protected.

I do not support the actions of agitators who are choosing to actively obstruct law enforcement, disrupt lawful operations, and put officers and fellow civilians at risk.

Instead of attacking law enforcement, we should be thanking them.

The contrast between the brave men and women protecting our communities and the agitators vilifying them while defending criminals could not be clearer. 

The majority of Americans stand firmly behind law enforcement and support the great work they are doing. May God bless them during this time.

Rep. Mike Simpson represents Idaho’s 2nd District in Congress.