TAMPA, Fla. — Former Trump administration immigration official Tom Homan drew loud applause at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit on Saturday night after delivering a defiant message to critics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Homan, who served as acting ICE director under former President Donald Trump and has been a prominent supporter of stricter immigration enforcement, was interrupted by a heckler during his remarks. The heckler, who questioned whether Homan was affiliated with MS-13 — the violent transnational gang — was quickly removed by security.
The interruption ignited a passionate response from Homan, who used the moment to emphasize his support for ICE agents and to condemn anti-ICE protesters.
“You want some? Come get some,” Homan said from the stage, drawing chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” from the crowd.
“I’m tired of it. For the men and women of ICE, I deserve your respect,” he continued. “They’re the finest 1% this country has. And Tom Homan isn’t going anywhere. Tom Homan isn’t shutting up.”
Homan criticized the protester as lacking the courage to serve in law enforcement, saying, “This guy wouldn’t know what it’s like to serve this nation. This guy ain’t got the balls to be an ICE officer.”
He also mocked the protester’s appearance, remarking, “The only thing that surprised me is [he] doesn’t have purple hair and a nose ring. Get out of here, you loser.”
Later in his speech, Homan pledged to continue advocating for aggressive immigration enforcement, saying, “Tom Homan is going to run the biggest deportation operation this country has ever seen. Take it to the bank.”
Outside the Tampa venue, demonstrators gathered earlier in the day to protest the summit and the immigration policies associated with the Trump administration. Homan noted their absence when he arrived but referenced recent nationwide demonstrations, including riots in Los Angeles last month, as evidence of growing tensions over immigration enforcement.
Despite ongoing protests, Homan said ICE agents would not be deterred. “We’re going to do the job that President Trump gave us to do,” he said.
