Tom Homan is demanding apologies from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez after they falsely claimed that ICE agents harassed an elementary school.
At a Glance
- Homan demands apologies from Pritzker and Martinez for spreading false claims about ICE.
- The incident involved Secret Service agents investigating a TikTok threat.
- Despite knowing the truth, Martinez falsely claimed the agents were from ICE.
- Pritzker spread the misinformation on social media, causing public concern.
False Claims and Fear Mongering
Former Border Patrol Chief Tom Homan is calling for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez to apologize for their misleading statements about immigration enforcement. They falsely claimed that ICE agents were at an elementary school to arrest undocumented children. This misinformation stemmed from an incident involving Secret Service agents visiting due to a TikTok threat, not ICE involvement.
Pedro Martinez exacerbated the situation by incorrectly stating on MSNBC that ICE agents were involved, despite being aware they were Secret Service agents. This inaccurate account was then amplified by Governor Pritzker, who posted it online, where it was eventually flagged but not before causing significant distress. Homan, the ex-chief of ICE, heavily criticized these actions for unjustly instilling fear in immigrant communities.
Tom Homan blasts the Chicago Public School CEO for lying that ICE showed up at an elementary school when he knew it was two Secret Service agents. The Border Czar also demand Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker issue an apology to ICE. “Gov Pritzker…needs to give ICE an apology, what he… pic.twitter.com/3HgU13hMb1
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) January 27, 2025
The Real Story
Pritzker further spread misinformation, suggesting ICE was active at the school when in reality, it was an unrelated Secret Service operation. The Governor’s post, full of alarmist rhetoric, was later marked with a Community Note for accuracy. This irresponsibility receives condemnation from Tom Homan, who argues that their behavior unnecessarily frightened the public. “Governor Pritzker, rather than calling ICE and asking ‘did this happen,’ he goes on social media and terrifies elementary schools [saying] ICE agents are walking in there,” Homan stated.
He’s adamant that the distress caused among immigrant communities was unfounded. While Martinez publicized the misinformation on national television, he knew full well who the agents were. “Pedro Martinez lied. He lied to the city of Chicago because he knew they were Secret Service agents,” Homan asserted. Such reckless actions by Martinez and Pritzker have stirred unnecessary fear and posed a reputational risk to ICE.
Demands for Apology
Amidst this chaos, Homan remains steadfast in his view that the officials involved owe ICE an apology. By dragging in ICE without clarification, they’ve wrongfully tarnished the agency’s image. Homan emphasized the unjust nature of the accusations and demanded an apology, noting the stronger ramifications of their actions.
“Pritzker needs to give ICE an apology” – Tom Homan
Exaggeration and half-truths only hinder the trusted work necessary for both protecting communities and supporting immigrant families. This situation highlights the dangerous slimming of the truth by public figures, and hopefully, coaxes Pritzker and Martinez toward offering restitution via a genuine public apology.
