By Gloria Ogbonna
During Wednesday’s broadcast of the Fox News Channel’s Will Cain Show, Senator Peter Welch (D–VT) pushed back strongly against claims that Democrats are obstructing federal immigration enforcement, arguing instead that the real issue is a breakdown of trust and cooperation between local communities and federal authorities.
Welch addressed the common argument that public safety problems could be resolved if states like Minnesota and others simply handed over criminal illegal immigrants to the federal government.
While acknowledging the logic of that claim on the surface, Welch stressed that such an approach depends on something he says is currently missing. “But that requires cooperation,” Welch said, “and cooperation requires trust.”
Host Will Cain pressed the senator with a pointed question, asking why Democrats appear “so hell-bent on keeping criminal illegal aliens from being handed over to ICE.”
Welch rejected the premise outright, insisting that Democrats do not oppose deporting criminals. Using Vermont as an example, he noted that the state is not a sanctuary jurisdiction and does, in fact, cooperate with federal authorities.
Welch laid out what he described as two fundamental principles. First, he said, the U.S. border must be secure, adding that progress has been made in that area.
Second, he emphasized that criminals should be deported. However, he argued that recent violent incidents and the federal government’s response have complicated the situation.
Welch pointed to the killings of two innocent people and criticized what he described as a denial by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that poor training may have played a role. According to Welch, that refusal to acknowledge responsibility has further damaged trust.
Cain interrupted to draw a sharp contrast between Vermont and states like Minnesota. He argued that while Welch claims Vermont cooperates with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, Minnesota does not.
Cain singled out Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, labeling their jurisdictions as sanctuaries that deny ICE the ability to operate effectively. Cain said this refusal creates a domino effect: ICE must conduct larger, more aggressive operations, which then spark protests, interference, and increasingly tense confrontations.
In response, Welch returned to his central theme of trust. He argued that effective law enforcement depends on strong relationships within the community and between agencies.
Welch said that Vermont law enforcement officials he has spoken with are deeply concerned about ICE’s methods, questioning whether agents are adequately trained and whether individuals are being targeted based on accents or skin color. Such practices, he warned, undermine community confidence and make cooperation far more difficult.
Later in the discussion, Welch reiterated his position in clear terms. “The bottom line here,” he said, “we need a secure border. Democrats understand that. We should be deporting criminals.”
At the same time, he continued to criticize ICE tactics, arguing that aggressive and poorly executed operations weaken, rather than strengthen, public safety.
Cain acknowledged one point of agreement, saying he believed Secretary Noem was wrong to label Renee Good a domestic terrorist in the immediate aftermath of a recent incident.
Still, he maintained that the broader conflict could be resolved if states like Minnesota and California followed what he called a more “rational” approach one that respects the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution and turns criminal offenders over to federal authorities.
Welch conceded that Cain had a valid point but again emphasized that cooperation cannot exist without trust. He suggested that the recent influx of federal agents has escalated tensions unnecessarily. Welch praised what he described as a positive gesture from the president, who called for toning down operations and withdrawing some agents to help calm the situation.
According to Welch, such a strategic shift could help rebuild the cooperative relationship that has traditionally existed between local and federal law enforcement.
Ultimately, Welch argued that restoring trust is essential to any lasting solution. Without it, he warned, enforcement efforts will continue to face resistance and chaos.
“Trust is part of it,” he concluded, sharply criticizing ICE leadership and saying their recent actions have pushed the system further off balance rather than bringing it under control.
Source Breitbart
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