Several Democratic governors, including Minnesota’s Tim Walz, testified Thursday before the House Oversight Committee on sanctuary state policies and illegal immigration. Walz, who served as Kamala Harris’s running mate during their failed 2024 White House bid, claimed Minnesota is not officially a sanctuary state, noting that neither he nor the legislature had formally passed such a designation. However, Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) challenged that assertion, referencing Walz’s past statements and social media posts. Emmer highlighted a 2018 tweet in which Walz wrote, “I support policies that keep law enforcement from enforcing federal laws.” He also confronted the governor over remarks made during a 2024 commencement address, where Walz referred to ICE agents as “Donald Trump’s modern day Gestapo.”

Emmer condemned the comment as dangerous and inflammatory, especially in light of recent attacks on ICE personnel in Los Angeles. “ICE agents are brave Americans,” Emmer said. “You, at the very least, owe them an apology.” He further criticized Walz’s policies that provide public benefits to undocumented immigrants, including free healthcare, college, and driver’s licenses, while allegedly limiting law enforcement’s ability to act. “If you think that’s not a sanctuary state, you shouldn’t be governor,” Emmer added, highlighting the sharp political divide over immigration enforcement.