California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing criticism after making heated remarks about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents just hours before a deadly attack on an ICE facility in Texas, as reported by The Western Journal.

Newsom’s comments came during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Tuesday evening, where he accused ICE agents of engaging in authoritarian tactics.

He suggested that their presence in minority communities was comparable to authoritarianism abroad, saying, “People ask, ‘Well, is [it] authoritarianism, you’re being hyperbolic.’ Bulls**t we’re being hyperbolic. If you’re [in] a black or brown community, it’s here, in this country.”

Hours later, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that shots were fired at the Dallas ICE Field Office. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted on X Wednesday morning that multiple victims were injured or killed in the incident.

“There was a shooting this morning at the Dallas @ICEgov Field Office,” Noem wrote.

“Details are still emerging but we can confirm there were multiple injuries and fatalities. The shooter is deceased by a self-inflicted gun shot wound. While we don’t know motive yet, we know that our ICE law enforcement is facing unprecedented violence against them. It must stop. Please pray for the victims and their families.”

There was a shooting this morning at the Dallas @ICEgov Field Office. Details are still emerging but we can confirm there were multiple injuries and fatalities.

The shooter is deceased by a self-inflicted gun shot wound.

While we don’t know motive yet, we know that our ICE…

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) September 24, 2025

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The gunman has not been identified, and officials have not confirmed whether the suspect’s actions were connected to political rhetoric, but the timing of the attack has fueled concern among critics of Newsom’s statements.

Earlier in the Colbert interview, Newsom suggested that President Donald Trump would “rig” the upcoming 2026 midterm elections in a manner he compared to Russia under President Vladimir Putin. He further accused Trump and ICE of operating with authoritarian intent.

The remarks quickly drew backlash from Republicans who argued that such rhetoric could contribute to escalating hostility against federal law enforcement.

Critics noted that ICE officers have already faced multiple incidents of violence in recent months, including threats and targeted attacks on federal facilities.

The Dallas attack marked the latest in a series of incidents directed at ICE operations, coming just weeks after another assault on a federal immigration facility in Prarieland, Texas.

Federal authorities, including the FBI, continue to investigate the Dallas shooting as an act of targeted violence. Officials have urged the public to avoid speculation while the inquiry is ongoing.

Newsom’s office has not commented on the connection between his remarks and the timing of the Dallas attack.

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