After the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced its Operation Buckeye to crack down on illegal immigration, the Columbus City mayor and protesters opposed the operation, with Trump officials and other Republicans criticizing him.
ICE said in a Saturday press release that the organization launched the operation on Dec. 16, which resulted in its agents already arresting “the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens,” who were allegedly convicted of serious crimes.
ICE alleged that the men who were captured were charged with rape, assault, robbery, burglary, and drug charges. The Columbus Dispatch reported that the agency provided neither documentation related to the new arrests nor verification of the men’s criminal backgrounds.
Some Columbus city officials pushed back against the recent ICE operation, reaffirming their support for immigrants and emphasizing that the local law enforcement would not help the federal agents in their mission.
In his Dec. 19 video statement on X, Columbus City Mayor Andrew Ginther told Americans and immigrants living in Ohio that the city will not participate in immigration enforcement and will not use municipal resources to assist ICE.
“Columbus is proud to be a welcoming city. As federal immigration enforcement operations take place in our community, we want our immigrant neighbors to know you matter,” he wrote. “You contribute to our economy, our culture, and the vibrancy of our city. We have your back, today and always.”
Columbus is proud to be a welcoming city. As federal immigration enforcement operations take place in our community, we want our immigrant neighbors to know you matter. You contribute to our economy, our culture, and the vibrancy of our city. We have your back, today and always. pic.twitter.com/AbauzratT5
— Mayor Andrew Ginther (@MayorGinther) December 19, 2025
Stephen Miller, a member of Trump’s administration, and multibillionaire Elon Musk criticized Ginther, suggesting that he wants more immigrants from Somalia to live in Ohio and claiming that he is a traitor to the United States.
He’s a traitor to America
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 21, 2025
“Why are you against ICE enforcing federal immigration laws in your city and making Columbus SAFE for all Ohioans?” ICE wrote on X.
Why are you against ICE enforcing federal immigration laws in your city and making Columbus SAFE for all Ohioans? https://t.co/FHeC2s1p8P
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) December 20, 2025
State Reps. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, and Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Twp., also criticized the mayor.
Among other Ohio officials who said they would not cooperate with ICE were Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office officials, Ohio State Highway Patrol representatives, and Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein.
According to the Dispatch, some Ohioans protested ICE outside a Columbus hotel where ICE agents were staying.
Leftists in Columbus, Ohio blasted music outside the hotel throughout the night where ICE agents were staying to keep them from sleeping
Totally normal behavior pic.twitter.com/7FDVCD5WGS
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 20, 2025
Stewart and Williams criticized the protesters again in their X posts, also denouncing the response from Columbus officials.
Vivek Ramaswamy, who is running for Ohio governor as a Republican, used the opportunity to promise Ohioans that such behavior would not be tolerated if they vote for him in 2026.
Ramaswamy also criticized his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, for not condemning the protesters’ behavior.
Unlike Ginther and many other officials in Ohio, the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge 9, which represents roughly 4,300 officers in Franklin County, issued a statement confirming that officers in Franklin County will assist federal officers when requested.
