Evers describes White House border czar’s threats on immigration enforcement as ‘chilling’
White House Border Czar Tom Homan issued a warning regarding potential repercussions for the Wisconsin Democrat, hinting at the likelihood of criminal charges.
TroibNews 
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers expressed strong criticism of the Trump administration on Friday, denouncing the White House’s actions as “chilling” following a threat from border czar Tom Homan, who indicated potential consequences—including criminal charges—for state employees receiving guidance when interacting with federal immigration officials.
“In this country, the federal government doesn’t get to abuse its power to threaten everyday Americans,” Evers, a Democrat, stated in a video released on Friday. “In this country, the federal government doesn’t get to arrest American citizens who have not committed a crime. In this country, we don’t threaten to persecute people just because they belong to a different political party.”
This statement comes amid the Trump administration's renewed focus on immigration issues in Wisconsin, which included the recent charging of a county judge who allegedly obstructed the arrest of an undocumented individual.
The Trump administration has indicated that federal officials may investigate and prosecute those who refuse to comply with their deportation initiatives.
A memo from Evers’ office released in April advises employees to consult with their agency's attorney prior to engaging with federal officials and to prevent agents from entering nonpublic areas.
Evers articulated that the guidance aimed to provide state employees with “clear, consistent” legal advice and ensure they have access to a lawyer.
However, he criticized Republicans and their allies, including Elon Musk, for spreading misinformation about the guidance. “But Republicans and their right-wing allies, including Elon Musk, lied about this guidance, spread misinformation, accused me of doing things I didn’t do or say, and fueled a fake controversy of their own creation,” he remarked.
Homan hinted on Thursday that Evers might become a target of the administration. “Wait till you see what’s coming,” he said to reporters outside the White House in response to questions about the guidance. “I meant what I said. You can not support what we’re doing. And you can support sanctuary cities if that’s what you want to do. But if you cross that line of impediment or knowingly harboring and concealing an illegal alien, that is a felony. And we’ll treat it as such.”
The White House did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Wisconsin state representative Calvin Callahan, a Republican, shared a video of Homan’s remarks on X, writing, “Arrest, Arrest, Arrest!” He also included an AI-generated image depicting Evers in handcuffs, being escorted from the state Capitol by President Donald Trump in police attire.
Democrats are rallying around the two-term governor, with state Senator LaTonya Johnson declaring, “Threatening to arrest a sitting governor for briefing his staff on their legal rights is outrageous. Thank you, @GovEvers, for standing up to Trump and not backing down in the face of this blatant political intimidation.”
In a related incident last week, the FBI arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan over a dispute involving immigration, alleging she aided an undocumented immigrant in evading arrest at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. The criminal complaint claims Dugan assisted in sneaking Eduardo Flores Ruiz and his attorney out through a door leading to a private hallway, though she and her legal team maintain her innocence.
The White House has celebrated the charges against Dugan, despite concerns among Democrats that such actions erode the judicial branch for the benefit of the administration. “We have to be proud of our country,” Trump said when asked about Dugan’s arrest. “We can’t let these people stay. And the courts are allowing them to stay. We’re just not going to allow it."
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
“In this country, the federal government doesn’t get to abuse its power to threaten everyday Americans,” Evers, a Democrat, stated in a video released on Friday. “In this country, the federal government doesn’t get to arrest American citizens who have not committed a crime. In this country, we don’t threaten to persecute people just because they belong to a different political party.”
This statement comes amid the Trump administration's renewed focus on immigration issues in Wisconsin, which included the recent charging of a county judge who allegedly obstructed the arrest of an undocumented individual.
The Trump administration has indicated that federal officials may investigate and prosecute those who refuse to comply with their deportation initiatives.
A memo from Evers’ office released in April advises employees to consult with their agency's attorney prior to engaging with federal officials and to prevent agents from entering nonpublic areas.
Evers articulated that the guidance aimed to provide state employees with “clear, consistent” legal advice and ensure they have access to a lawyer.
However, he criticized Republicans and their allies, including Elon Musk, for spreading misinformation about the guidance. “But Republicans and their right-wing allies, including Elon Musk, lied about this guidance, spread misinformation, accused me of doing things I didn’t do or say, and fueled a fake controversy of their own creation,” he remarked.
Homan hinted on Thursday that Evers might become a target of the administration. “Wait till you see what’s coming,” he said to reporters outside the White House in response to questions about the guidance. “I meant what I said. You can not support what we’re doing. And you can support sanctuary cities if that’s what you want to do. But if you cross that line of impediment or knowingly harboring and concealing an illegal alien, that is a felony. And we’ll treat it as such.”
The White House did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Wisconsin state representative Calvin Callahan, a Republican, shared a video of Homan’s remarks on X, writing, “Arrest, Arrest, Arrest!” He also included an AI-generated image depicting Evers in handcuffs, being escorted from the state Capitol by President Donald Trump in police attire.
Democrats are rallying around the two-term governor, with state Senator LaTonya Johnson declaring, “Threatening to arrest a sitting governor for briefing his staff on their legal rights is outrageous. Thank you, @GovEvers, for standing up to Trump and not backing down in the face of this blatant political intimidation.”
In a related incident last week, the FBI arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan over a dispute involving immigration, alleging she aided an undocumented immigrant in evading arrest at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. The criminal complaint claims Dugan assisted in sneaking Eduardo Flores Ruiz and his attorney out through a door leading to a private hallway, though she and her legal team maintain her innocence.
The White House has celebrated the charges against Dugan, despite concerns among Democrats that such actions erode the judicial branch for the benefit of the administration. “We have to be proud of our country,” Trump said when asked about Dugan’s arrest. “We can’t let these people stay. And the courts are allowing them to stay. We’re just not going to allow it."
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
