San Diego City Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera is facing intense backlash after referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as “terrorists” in a controversial Instagram post. The councilman’s inflammatory remarks drew sharp criticism from White House officials and immigration enforcement supporters. Should Elo-Rivera’s statement be viewed as inciting violence against federal authorities?
Councilman’s Inflammatory Remarks Spark Outrage
San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera has ignited a firestorm of controversy after labeling ICE agents as “terrorists” in a recent Instagram post. The Democratic councilman shared a photo of ICE agents with the song “Bulls On Parade” by Rage Against The Machine, writing, “This isn’t a war zone—it’s a neighborhood in our city,” and concluding with “This isn’t safety. It’s state-sponsored terrorism.”
The post criticized ICE for targeting parents dropping off children at school, people at courthouses, and workers at local restaurants in San Diego. Elo-Rivera’s inflammatory rhetoric has drawn sharp condemnation from federal officials and immigration enforcement supporters who view it as dangerous incitement against law enforcement personnel.
San Diego Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera (D) calls DHS agents “terr*rists” for arresting illegals and urges his followers to “fight back.”
There’s been a major increase in violence against immigration enforcement agents yet elected Democrats are inciting violence against them.… pic.twitter.com/8kRmB5cdpj
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 1, 2025
White House Response and Escalating Tensions
Stephen Miller swiftly responded to Elo-Rivera’s comments, stating, “We are living in the age of leftwing domestic terrorism. They are openly encouraging violence against law enforcement to aid and abet the invasion of America.”
ICE officials also condemned the councilman’s remarks, with a spokesperson calling the comparison of law enforcement agents to terrorists “SICKENING.” The escalating rhetoric comes as ICE faces increasing resistance from sanctuary jurisdictions, with Patricia Hyde, head of ICE Boston, noting that “the lack of cooperation is getting worse and worse, and it’s putting law enforcement lives in danger.”
San Diego Democrat City Councilman @SeanEloRivera is having a meltdown on Instagram—dropping the N-word, saying “F” Donald Trump, calling ICE “state-sponsored terrorism”, “criminals”, “jackbooted thugs”and labeling fellow Americans “fascist.”
Not a great Saturday for Sean. pic.twitter.com/TMkwlpLFrn— Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) June 1, 2025
Broader Immigration Enforcement Context
The controversy occurs against the backdrop of intensified immigration enforcement actions across southern California and beyond. Recent operations in Denver and Aurora targeted the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, involving multiple federal agencies including the DEA, FBI, Customs and Border Patrol, ATF, and U.S. Marshals.
The Trump administration has been pushing for increased immigration arrests and deportations, with ICE reportedly aiming for 3,000 arrests per day. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has reported achieving the highest arrest numbers since Trump took office, while the administration recently removed a list of “sanctuary” jurisdictions from the Department of Homeland Security website after criticism from the National Sheriffs’ Association.
Immigrant advocates and some Democratic officials argue that sanctuary policies foster trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. However, President Trump has described non-cooperation with federal immigration authorities as “a lawless insurrection,” highlighting the deep political divisions surrounding immigration enforcement in America.