Trump’s border czar Tom Homan promises record deportation efforts and defends ICE in a fiery Tampa summit speech.

Homan Delivers Defiant Address Amid Anti-ICE Protests

Trump administration border czar Tom Homan electrified the crowd at Turning Point USA’s Student Action Summit in Tampa Bay, Florida, Saturday night, vowing to launch the “biggest deportation operation this country has ever seen.” Homan’s speech was punctuated by a tense exchange with a heckler, who asked, “Are you an MS-13 member?”—a reference to the Salvadoran criminal gang frequently targeted in Trump’s immigration policy. The heckler was swiftly escorted out, but the confrontation only added intensity to Homan’s remarks.

Homan addressed protesters who had gathered outside the summit and across the country, sending a clear message: “You want some? Come get some. I’m tired of it. For the men and women of ICE, I deserve your respect. They’re the finest 1% this country has. And Tom Homan isn’t going anywhere. Tom Homan isn’t shutting up.”

The former acting director of ICE emphasized the daily challenges faced by federal immigration officers, who have encountered heightened hostility since the signing of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” for immigration reform. Homan asserted, “This guy wouldn’t know what it’s like to serve this nation. This guy ain’t got the b---- to be an ICE officer. He hasn’t got the b---- to be a border patrol agent,” to resounding cheers from the audience.

Refusing to be deterred by critics, Homan lambasted anti-ICE protesters and assured the crowd, “We’re going to do the job that President Trump gave us to do.” He lamented the current climate, saying he had “never seen such hate against the men and women of ICE and in the Border Patrol,” and insisted that critics lack the courage to wear a badge and stand on the front lines of immigration enforcement.

Protests and Policy Clashes Continue Nationwide

While Homan admitted disappointment at not seeing protesters upon his arrival at the summit, the streets outside had filled earlier with demonstrators opposing Trump’s immigration policies and ICE crackdowns. Recent months have seen anti-ICE protests escalate into riots, most notably in Los Angeles, as the national debate over immigration grows more intense.

The summit occurred in the wake of a series of attacks on federal immigration law enforcement officers, including two ambushes in Texas and violent clashes at the ICE facility in Portland, Oregon. Homan condemned these actions, expressing unwavering support for ICE and border agents who, he insisted, are vital to national security.

Homan’s speech drew further applause when he credited Trump with delivering “the most secure border in the history of nation,” claiming, “We did that in seven weeks. President Trump did in seven weeks what Joe Biden couldn’t or wouldn’t do in four years.” He acknowledged that his remarks might offend some, unapologetically stating, “Sometimes, I’m harsh. But if I offend anybody here tonight, I don’t give a s---.”

As anti-ICE protests persist and immigration enforcement remains a flashpoint in national politics, Homan’s defiant stance and promises of aggressive action signal the Trump administration’s unwavering commitment to its immigration agenda. Supporters at the summit left energized by Homan’s rhetoric, as both sides brace for continued clashes over the future of immigration policy in the United States.