House Committees Launch Probe into Nashville Mayor’s Alleged ICE Obstruction

Washington, D.C. — Two heavyweight House committees are zeroing in on Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, a Democrat accused of throwing roadblocks in front of federal immigration authorities. The House Homeland Security Committee, led by Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), and the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), are spearheading a probe into O’Connell’s actions, which critics say undermine Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Tennessee’s capital.

The investigation, backed by Reps. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) and Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), stems from O’Connell’s public criticism of ICE and a controversial executive order. The order mandates Nashville government employees to report interactions with federal immigration officials, a move Republicans argue could tip off criminal aliens about ICE enforcement plans. "This isn’t just bureaucracy—it’s a deliberate attempt to hamstring federal law enforcement," Ogles charged, pointing to what he calls a pattern of obstruction.

The probe follows a major ICE operation in Tennessee, where nearly 200 illegal immigrants, many with criminal ties, were arrested alongside the Tennessee Highway Patrol. O’Connell’s response? A stinging rebuke of ICE, claiming their actions harm community safety, and the launch of The Belonging Fund, a nonprofit to cover urgent care costs for illegal immigrants. While the fund insists no taxpayer dollars are involved, Republicans are skeptical, with Ogles slamming it as a scheme to "help illegal foreigners evade the law."

The lawmakers’ letter to O’Connell demands answers about how his policies affect immigration enforcement, especially since Tennessee bans sanctuary cities. They warn his executive order could chill cooperation between local and federal authorities, potentially derailing ICE’s efforts. "When your chief lawyer can’t even clarify if tipping off targets of ICE raids is legal, you’re not exactly building trust," the letter notes.

O’Connell’s clash with ICE puts him in the same ring as other Democratic leaders sparring with the Trump administration over immigration. From New Jersey to Nashville, the fight over enforcement is heating up, and this probe signals Republicans aren’t backing down.