Philadelphia DA Threatens ICE Agents Patrolling Philly Airport with Arrest, Prosecution

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is doubling down on earlier promises to arrest and prosecute Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, this time threatening agents deployed to his city’s airport.

The George Soros-backed prosecutor made his threats during a Tuesday press conference, directing his remarks to federal ICE agents who helping to patrol Philadelphia’s International Airport.

Krasner invoked the two deadly clashes between anti-ICE protestors and immigration agents in Minneapolis in January to justify his issuing an ultimatum to ICE agents assisting TSA workers at the airport.

In addition to threatening agents with arrest and prosecution, Krasner asserted that state charges, filed by his office, would not be subject to a presidential pardon.

“That is how it works. No, I don’t take a phone call from the president, saying, ‘Let him go.’ No, the president cannot pardon you. I’ll say it again: the president cannot pardon you,” Krasner announced.

The Philadelphia DA had taken a similar hard stand against ICE operations earlier this year when he warned them to stay out of his city, saying, “If any law enforcement agent, any ICE agent is gonna come to Philly . . . , then you can get the F out of here.” “I will charge you with those crimes. You will be arrested. You will stand trial. You will be convicted. Donald Trump cannot pardon you for a state court conviction. Do you hear me, ICE agents?”

The tough-talking prosecutor had also made headlines during a January City Hall event supporting legislation to limit ICE operations, when he compared federal immigration agents to Nazis and promising to “hunt down” and prosecute them for overstepping their authority.

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pdockal · 56-60, M

local District Attorney (DA)can arrest and prosecuteICE agents, but only if the agent’s conduct falls outside the scope of their official federal duties. While federal agents have significant protections, they do not have "blanket immunity" from state criminal laws

Under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, states generally cannot interfere with federal operations. A state prosecution can only proceed if a court determines the agent's actions were not "reasonably necessary" to carry out their federal duties

Even if a local DA files charges, federal law (28 U.S.C. § 1442) allows the agent to "remove" the case from state court tofederal court. A federal judge then decides if the agent has a "colorable federal defense" that grants them immunity.

Under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, states generally cannot interfere with federal operations. A state prosecution can only proceed if a court determines the agent's actions were not "reasonably necessary" to carry out their federal duties

Sounds like the DA doesn't understand federal law (he mentioned a presidents pardon)

ElwoodBlues · M

@pdockal Krasner clearly understands federal law.

“This is how it works — you commit crimes within the jurisdiction that is the city and county of Philadelphia, I prosecute you. That is how it works. No, I don’t take a phone call from the president saying ‘Let em go.’ No, the president cannot pardon you. I’ll say it again, the president cannot pardon you,” said Krasner.

The DA continued, “And yes, I will put you in handcuffs and I will put you in a courtroom, and if necessary, I will put you in a jail cell if you decide to make the terrazzo floor of this floor anything like you did in the streets of Minneapolis, which involved the criminal homicide of unarmed, innocent people.”

sunsporter1649 · 70-79, M

@ElwoodBlues So krasner has been so successful rounding up illegal alien murderers, rapists, child traffickers, fraudsters, and drug runners ICE is not needed, right?

pdockal · 56-60, M

@ElwoodBlues

Critics, including Republican lawmakers and some law enforcement groups, argue his policies prioritize defendants over victims and public safety.

Under Krasner, the rate of dismissed or withdrawn felony cases has increased significantly. For example, a 2020 analysis by theLaw Enforcement Legal Defense Fundfound his office dropped or lost 47% of illegal firearm cases in his first two years

He has implemented policies to end cash bail for many nonviolent offenses, seek shorter probation periods, and pursue more lenient sentences

During his first few years, Philadelphia saw a surge in homicides and gun-related assaults, which opponents directly linked to his refusal to keep repeat offenders incarcerated

ElwoodBlues · M

@sunsporter1649 In Philly, ICE has to abide by the law. Why is that so hard to understand??

pdockal · 56-60, M

@ElwoodBlues

Why do you think they won't ?????

ElwoodBlues · M

@pdockal Good question! Because in Minnesota they violated 96 court orders in less than ONE MONTH!! And each violated court order is an attempt to redress one or more broken laws!!!

... on Wednesday, Patrick Schiltz, the chief judge for the U.S. District Court of Minnesota, issued a remarkable order that cataloged a total of 96 court orders that he said ICE had violated in 74 different cases. “ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026,” the judge wrote, “than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.230171/gov.uscourts.mnd.230171.10.0_2.pdf?regi_id=216074662&template_id=1545&tracking_id=biza-1hFvPdxv6r7xijyl-variant-0&user_id=9bcd0d71fb7660c3554b4fb55bffa75a

This is the appendix mentioned by Judge Schlitz with the list of court orders violated by ICE
https://kstp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Habeas-Cases-with-Order-Non-Compliance-Jan-28-2026.pdf

UPDATE for sunstroke:
Law enforcement must obey the law, no exceptions.

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pdockal · 56-60, M

@ElwoodBlues

Federal or local ????
Because unless it's federal or doesn't matter
They are a sanctuary area and put Illegal over citizens
I would shut down the whole area of i could
Because Biden did such a great job letting then in