Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has condemned Nashville’s Democrat Mayor Freddie O’Connell for allegedly placing the safety of criminal illegal aliens above that of law-abiding citizens. Blackburn accused O’Connell of doxxing federal immigration officers and creating a de facto sanctuary city in violation of Tennessee law.
The controversy began after a major operation conducted by ICE and the Tennessee Highway Patrol resulted in the arrest of 196 illegal aliens. Among those arrested were individuals charged with serious crimes, including rape, child molestation, and murder. Blackburn stated that these individuals pose a clear threat to public safety and that their presence is unwanted in Tennessee communities.
Blackburn asserted that Mayor O’Connell endangered ICE and Homeland Security agents by publicly releasing their names and operational details. She emphasized that this exposure compromises law enforcement and hampers efforts to remove dangerous criminals from the country. According to Blackburn, these actions have effectively turned Nashville into a sanctuary city, a designation outlawed by state legislation.
In response to O’Connell’s actions, Blackburn has introduced the “Protecting Law Enforcement from Doxxing Act.” This legislation aims to criminalize the intentional release of information that identifies law enforcement personnel with the intent to obstruct immigration enforcement. The bill proposes penalties including up to five years in prison.
The Department of Justice has been urged to investigate Mayor O’Connell’s conduct. Additionally, Congressman Andy Ogles (R-TN) has initiated a federal probe into the mayor’s handling of the situation. He cited the creation of the “Belonging Fund”—a city-funded program assisting families of deported illegal aliens—as evidence of obstruction against federal immigration efforts.
Blackburn reiterated the dangers posed by known violent gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, which have ties to some of those arrested. She pointed out that these organizations are designated as foreign terrorist entities and argued for swift deportation to protect American communities.
Blackburn maintains that Tennesseans overwhelmingly support the removal of criminal illegal aliens and expect their elected officials to enforce immigration law rather than undermine it.
