Senator Bernie Sanders isn't mincing words about what he sees happening with immigration enforcement right now. The Vermont independent is calling for immediate resignations at the Department of Homeland Security, saying ICE and federal agents have crossed a constitutional line in American cities.

Sanders Draws a Red Line on ICE Operations

On Wednesday, Sanders took to X with a blunt message: "Kristi Noem AND Stephen Miller must go." He paired the post with video of himself delivering a fiery speech against current federal immigration enforcement tactics.

In the clip, Sanders framed the issue in stark terms: "America is not and must never be about federal agents shooting American citizens down in cold blood, breaking down doors to arrest people, or sending five-year-olds to detention centers, all in clear violation of our Constitution."

He zeroed in on ICE operations in Minneapolis and Maine specifically, describing them as "a domestic military force…occupying a military occupation of one of our great American cities." He accused agents of "terrorizing the occupants" in those locations.

Sanders wants ICE pulled out of both cities immediately. But he went further than that, saying "not another penny should be given to ICE or Customs and Border Patrol, unless there are fundamental reforms in how those agencies function." That's essentially threatening to hold the agencies' budgets hostage until they change how they operate.

A Growing Democratic Chorus for Leadership Change

Sanders isn't alone in demanding a shakeup at DHS. The deaths of two Americans at the hands of federal immigration officers have prompted several prominent Democrats to call for resignations and reforms.

Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona said he won't support the DHS budget and wants both Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller gone, along with reforms to rein in ICE operations.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker went even further, demanding accountability and the resignations of Noem, Miller, and Greg Bovino.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer didn't hold back either, calling Noem incompetent and insisting both she and Miller must be removed from their positions.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada criticized Noem, Miller, and President Donald Trump for what she called enabling abuses against both U.S. citizens and immigrants. She's calling for protections of constitutional rights and public safety standards.

Senator Tina Smith from Minnesota argued that just changing leadership won't fix ICE's problems. She wants Congress to take action, including firing Noem, Miller, and Bovino, but also implementing deeper reforms.

Trump addressed the controversy last week, saying he's reviewing what federal officers did in Minneapolis and suggested they might eventually be pulled out. He defended the agents' work, criticized the protester who was killed, and pushed local officials to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement while calling for an end to sanctuary cities.