GOP Leadership Criticizes Democratic Governor Ahead of High-Profile Congressional Hearing

As a high-profile congressional hearing on sanctuary city policies approaches, House Republican leadership is publicly criticizing Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The hearing, set for Thursday, will also feature Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, all of whom are expected to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding their states' approaches to immigration enforcement.

GOP Whip and Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer delivered pointed remarks about Governor Walz's record ahead of the testimony. Emmer accused Walz of favoring policies that benefit undocumented immigrants at the expense of his own constituents. "From hurling outrageous insults against ICE agents to offering a multitude of taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal aliens in Minnesota, Tim Walz's immigration agenda can be summed up easily: pro-illegal alien, anti-Minnesotan," Emmer stated. He added, "If Tim Walz thinks he will be able to defend his abysmal record before Congress, then he’s even more of a buffoon than I thought. I only have one thing to say to Timmy as he heads to Washington this week: GOOD LUCK."

Emmer also released a new video titled "Protecting Illegals, Not Minnesotans: That's the Walz Way," further criticizing Walz’s immigration policies. The timing of this criticism coincides with growing national debate over sanctuary city policies, especially as anti-ICE protests erupted recently in Los Angeles and the Trump administration intensifies efforts to increase deportations nationwide.

Sanctuary cities, though not legally defined, are generally characterized as jurisdictions where local authorities limit cooperation with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These cities often refuse to share information with ICE or to honor detainer requests asking that certain inmates be held beyond their scheduled release dates, making them attractive destinations for undocumented immigrants seeking to avoid deportation. Most sanctuary cities are led by Democratic officials, adding a partisan edge to the dispute.

House Oversight Chairman James Comer echoed Emmer’s concerns, arguing that such policies compromise public safety. “The governors of these states must explain why they are prioritizing the protection of criminal illegal aliens over the safety of U.S. citizens,” Comer asserted. He went on to state, "Sanctuary policies only provide sanctuaries for criminal illegal aliens. Former President Biden created the worst border crisis in U.S. history and allowed criminal illegal aliens to flood our communities."

According to Comer, the Trump administration’s renewed focus on deporting undocumented immigrants has been hindered by what he describes as the "reckless" decisions of states like Illinois, Minnesota, and New York to obstruct federal enforcement efforts. Tensions over these policy differences have escalated in recent days, fueled by ongoing unrest and calls for greater accountability from both state and federal officials.

The upcoming hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 12 at 10 a.m. ET and is expected to draw national attention as lawmakers press the three governors on their decisions and the broader impact of sanctuary policies. As the political rhetoric heats up, the debate underscores the deep divisions within the country over immigration, law enforcement, and the balance between state and federal authority.

Governor Walz did not issue a public response ahead of the hearing.