Ohio Senator Presses Lucas County Commissioner Over Calling ICE a 'Terrorist Group' and Rejecting DHS Grant
Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno has sent a sharply worded letter to Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken after Gerken said ICE and related agencies had 'changed from a legitimate agency to a terrorist group' and voted with the county board against enforcing a federal grant tied to DHS. Moreno’s letter, obtained by Fox News, argues the vote is 'incoherent and perilous,' cites Ohio Revised Code 3.07 on misconduct in office, and questions whether branding federal law-enforcement officers as 'terrorists' is compatible with Gerken’s oath and statutory duty to help fund justice and public-safety functions. He notes Toledo Public Schools are facing a roughly $70 million deficit and the county sheriff is seeking a $6.57 million budget increase, calling the rejection of federal money under those conditions 'particularly confounding' and warning the rhetoric could fuel real-world violence against ICE and Border Patrol personnel amid a reported surge in assaults. Moreno demands written answers within five days on how much of Lucas County’s budget comes from federal funds, whether such language comports with Gerken’s duties, and how residents benefit from turning down DHS assistance, as Democrats nationwide intensify criticism of ICE operations following the Renee Good shooting in Minneapolis. The clash highlights how local resistance to Trump-era immigration enforcement and federal grants is now drawing direct legal and political threats from Republican senators, raising questions about oath violations and the boundaries of rhetoric toward federal officers.
📌 Key Facts
- Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken said that since December 2025 ICE and related agencies 'have changed from a legitimate agency to a terrorist group' as the board voted against enforcing a DHS grant.
- Sen. Bernie Moreno’s letter accuses Gerken of acting contrary to his oath, cites Ohio Revised Code 3.07 on misconduct in office for refusing to perform official duties, and calls the decision 'incoherent and perilous.'
- Moreno highlights a projected $70 million budget deficit for Toledo Public Schools and a $6.57 million budget increase request from the Lucas County sheriff to argue that rejecting federal assistance harms residents.
- The senator links the 'terrorist' label to rising assaults on ICE and Border Patrol agents and demands Gerken answer detailed questions about federal funding reliance and the impact of refusing DHS money within five days.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 238 assaults on ICE agents from January 21 to November 21, representing a claimed 1,153% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
Attacks on ICE up 1000%? Court records show few serious injuries — Los Angeles Times
National data indicates that charges of assault against federal officers rose 25% in 2025 through mid-September compared to the same period in 2024.
Claims of huge rise in assaults against ICE drive responses, but data is lacking — Colorado Public Radio
Lucas County's foreign-born population increased by 10.5% between 2012 and 2017, helping to offset local population decline.
Resettlement to Revitalization: Welcoming Immigrants in Toledo's Post-Industrial Era — Midstory
Ohio's foreign-born population grew from 482,000 in 2014 to 655,000 in 2024, representing about 5.5% of the state's total population.
How many immigrants are in Ohio? — USAFacts
The U.S. experienced net negative migration in 2025 for the first time in 50 years, with more immigrants leaving than arriving, attributed to policies like border closures, visa restrictions, and increased deportations.
US, for 1st time in 50 years, experienced negative net migration in 2025: Report — ABC News
In Fiscal Year 2025, the Department of Homeland Security provided $1.008 billion through the Homeland Security Grant Program to enhance state and local capabilities, including for counter-terrorism and emergency preparedness, which can intersect with immigration enforcement.
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