Throughout Monday’s Morning Joe, so-called ‘conservative’ author Matt Lewis alleged ICE was “shopping for” native police forces throughout the nation by the federal 287(g) program with the intention to function a “paramilitary” pressure for a doable plot by President Donald Trump to steal the midterm elections.
The federal program referred to by Lewis, titled ICE’s 287(g) program, was a cooperation partnership between ICE and native police companies that allowed native police to assist ICE perform immigration enforcement in a restricted trend.
In return for becoming a member of this system, native police departments could obtain reimbursements for cash spent on native immigration enforcement.
Throughout his MS NOW look, “conservative author” Matt Lewis alleged participation within the 287(g) program decreased belief in police, regardless that this system had existed for many years:
And look, perhaps you take a look at this and say cooperation is an efficient factor. Perhaps you take a look at it and say, there’s some perils to this, proper? For instance, there could possibly be an erosion of belief in native police. Like should you’re an immigrant, are you going to wish to cooperate with the native police? However all of these issues, I believe, are fascinating debates.
Then, whereas saying he did not wish to be a conspiracy theorist, Lewis recommended an ulterior and diabolical motive for this system:
For me, my concern, and I do not wish to sound conspiratorial right here, however, , not too long ago Steve Bannon mentioned that ICE must be used in the course of the midterm elections. In case you are involved that ICE could possibly be a paramilitary, personal police of Donald Trump, then I believe this takes on type of an added dimension by way of its significance.
With none pushback on his outlandish claims, former ESPN persona, and now obvious MS NOW resident sports activities analyst, Pablo Torre continued spreading the notion of ICE “shopping for” native police:
However just like the notion that native authorities, completely different from the federal authorities, cash being a method to get what you need. Might you simply spell out that efficient battle of curiosity that I believe numerous persons are most likely solely now studying and listening to about.
Lewis then implied if the federal authorities gave you cash, you need to do what they let you know, or else:
The truth that ICE is paying for the salaries, the advantages, the gear, the additional time for these native cops. What occurs is – I’ve simply grown up believing that whoever pays you cash finally turns into your boss, and you’ll do what the individual paying you cash does.
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They usually’re doing it with – they’re principally shopping for off these police departments.
The entire concept of the 287(g) was grounded within the concept of native governments selecting to assist federal authorities. Lewis even mentions that this system was created in 1996 in the course of the Clinton Administration.
It’s also an absurd concept to assert that every one federal grants to localities are bribes. If that’s the case, then what was the purpose of federal funding for state authorities if it’s all an enormous bribe.
Even worse from Lewis was enflaming the concept of ICE being Trump’s “personal police” or “paramilitary” pressure. With statements like this, it was no shock why liberals are forming ‘resistance’ and ‘revolutionary‘ teams towards ICE.
The transcript is under. Click on to increase:
MS NOW’s Morning Joe
February 9, 2026
7:42:22 AM JapaneseJONATHAN LEMIRE: And on this topic, conservative author Matt Lewis contends that ICE is shopping for America’s native police forces. In a brand new piece on Substack, Matt writes a couple of monetary association that, he argues, raises the type of eyebrow arching questions often reserved for lobbyists and free steak dinners. Matt joins us now. Matt, good to see you. An vital piece. So clarify for us, if you’ll, what these 287(g) partnerships are and why they matter.
MATT LEWIS: So these are partnerships between ICE and state and native governments. They usually ask for assist from the state and native authorities police departments. It is elective, however should you associate with it, should you cooperate with ICE, they are going to reimburse your salaries, advantages, additional time and gear.
So successfully there are, in keeping with the DHS, 40 states which might be cooperating and over round 1,300 native police departments which might be taking cash from ICE to cooperate with them.
And, , look, I believe relying on the way you take a look at it, this could possibly be high quality, proper? And there you see this chart. It has dramatically elevated throughout Donald Trump’s first time period. This coverage has really been in place since 1996 however it has grow to be, as you possibly can see, simply dramatically ramped up. Many, many extra native police departments are taking cash from ICE to cooperate.
And look, perhaps you take a look at this and say cooperation is an efficient factor. Perhaps you take a look at it and say, there’s some perils to this, proper? For instance, there could possibly be an erosion of belief in native police. Like should you’re an immigrant, are you going to wish to cooperate with the native police? However all of these issues, I believe, are fascinating debates.
For me, my concern, and I do not wish to sound conspiratorial right here, however, , not too long ago Steve Bannon mentioned that ICE must be used in the course of the midterm elections. In case you are involved that ICE could possibly be a paramilitary, personal police of Donald Trump, then I believe this takes on type of an added dimension by way of its significance.
PABLO TORRE: Yeah. Matt, The notion of the separation of powers. I do not wish to be, , the pedantic tutorial man on this dialogue. However just like the notion that native authorities, completely different from the federal authorities, cash being a method to get what you need. Might you simply spell out that efficient battle of curiosity that I believe numerous persons are most likely solely now studying and listening to about.
LEWIS: Proper, Pablo. I’m blown away that this story isn’t an even bigger deal. Like previously week, we’ve got seen states like Virginia and Maryland attempt to roll again these applications, however most individuals do not perceive the cash concerned, proper? They only assume, Virginia, as a result of Virginia elected a Democratic governor, she not desires to be complicit with what ICE is doing. She does not need her native police to be serving to them, proper. To spherical up migrants, a few of whom could or might not be unlawful.
However most individuals do not know in regards to the cash. The truth that ice is paying for the salaries, the advantages, the gear, the additional time for these native cops. What occurs is – I’ve simply grown up believing that whoever pays you cash finally turns into your boss, and you’ll do what the individual paying you cash does.
And a few of these native police departments, and I am sitting right here in West Virginia, these small counties, they could not have a whole lot of tax income. They’re relying now more and more on cash from ICE and, at a sure level, you do what you are advised to do by the people who find themselves paying you and who’re funding you.
In case you are an individual, and I do not wish to sound once more too esoteric right here, however should you imagine in federalism, should you imagine in separation of powers, should you imagine in checks and balances, that is actually Donald Trump and the federal authorities eroding that. Kind of tearing down that wall of separation, which – I do know there’s at all times going to be cooperation. On the finish of the day, if the president desires to love nationalize, , any person that he is most likely going to do it. But it surely’s taking place already underneath our – we do not even, nobody even is aware of that that is taking place. They usually’re doing it with – they’re principally shopping for off these police departments.
That is how I see it. However , you possibly can discuss to a legislation enforcement officer who I am certain would have numerous logical explanation why that is useful.
JOE SCARBOROUGH: There are a whole lot of conservative beliefs and values which were fully thrown out the window. Whether or not you are speaking about balancing budgets, we have got a $39 trillion debt, whether or not you are speaking about federalism and states rights. Gone. And your piece simply underlines it. And the brand new piece is on-line now, conservative author Matt Lewis, we thanks a lot for being with us. The article, “How ICE is shopping for America’s native police forces.”
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