Bestselling author Stephen King posted on X (formerly Twitter) a blunt message:
➡️ “ICE is the American Gestapo.” This comparison equates the U.S. federal immigration enforcement agency Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with Nazi Germany’s secret police, the Gestapo a force infamous for brutality, political suppression, and extrajudicial actions in the 1930s and 1940s.
King’s message came amid widespread outrage over the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis earlier this week. Critics say video and eyewitness accounts show Pretti holding a phone, not a weapon, when he was shot — a point Homeland Security disputes.
Why This Is Causing Strong Reactions
King wasn’t alone in making the comparison — several public figures and politicians have used similar language recently:
- Bruce Springsteen urged ICE to “get the f— out of Minneapolis,” calling their tactics “Gestapo-like.”
- National TV satire (“SNL”) mocked ICE’s response to protests after the Minneapolis shooting.
That kind of rhetoric reflects high frustration and anger among critics who view federal enforcement actions — especially those resulting in civilian deaths — as unjustified, excessive, and lacking accountability. At the same time, federal officials reject the parallel. The Department of Homeland Security and GOP lawmakers say likening ICE to the Gestapo is inflammatory and irresponsible, arguing it contributes to threats and assaults on officers.
Wider Context: Minneapolis and ICE Encounters
The controversy comes amid several violent confrontations between ICE agents and civilians in Minneapolis:
- In January, ICE officer Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renée Nicole Good, a mother, during an enforcement action. Video review, local statements, and federal assertions vary on whether Good’s vehicle posed a threat, fueling conflicting narratives and protests.
- Just days later, Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents. Witnesses reported he was trying to de-escalate, not attack.
- Minneapolis officials and protesters have described the ongoing ICE presence as creating a “war-zone-like” atmosphere.
- These incidents have intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement policies and tactics. Protests, public figures’ statements, and political debate have all amplified the national conversation.
The Debate Around the “Gestapo” Comparison
Critics Say:
- The comparison draws attention to perceived abuses of power, militarized policing tactics, and lack of transparency.
- It expresses deep frustration with how federal immigration operations are conducted and communicated.
- Public figures believe dramatic language is necessary to spur accountability and reform.
Supporters of ICE Say:
- Officials argue the comparison to the Gestapo (a secret police force responsible for crimes against humanity) is misleading and inflammatory.
- They emphasize due process protections in the U.S. legal system and caution that extreme rhetoric may endanger law enforcement officers.
- Some claim that negative portrayals contribute to hostility and threats against federal agents.
- Both sides agree the deaths and confrontations are tragic, though they strongly disagree over interpretation and response.
Conclusion
Stephen King’s comment — “ICE is the American Gestapo” — captures the deep polarization in the U.S. right now over federal immigration enforcement. Many critics use the comparison to express outrage over what they see as heavy-handed, militarized actions that have led to civilian deaths and chaotic scenes in Minneapolis. Others say such language goes too far, misrepresents ICE’s role, and risks inflaming tensions further. At the core of this debate are unresolved questions about use of force, transparency, accountability, and how immigration laws are enforced in American cities. The controversy isn’t likely to subside soon, as protests, political speeches, and national discussion continue to unfold on all sides of the issue.
