Philadelphia Sheriff Calls ICE ‘Fake, Wannabe’ Cops Violating the Legal and ‘Moral Law’
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal — employing hipster slang and evoking a call-and-response chant — on Friday called federal immigration agents “fake, wannabe” law enforcement and said their actions violated both “legal law” and “moral law.”
The sheriff, elected and sworn in in 2020, echoed a threat from Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who warned that federal law enforcement officials who commit crimes in Philadelphia would be arrested and prosecuted.
“So I’m with the prosecutor,” Bilal said. “You don’t want this smoke. Because we’ll bring it to you,” adding, addressing President Donald Trump, that “the criminal in the White House wouldn’t be able to stop” federal agents from going to prison.
“Wanting to smoke” is an expression for someone who is looking for trouble or a fight.
Earlier, Bilal began his comments by saying the name of Renee Good, the 37-year-old woman shot and killed in Minneapolis by a federal immigration agent who Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials said fired his handgun in self-defense as she sped toward him in her SUV.
“Good afternoon,” the sheriff began. “My name is Rochelle Bilal, Sheriff of the City and County of Philadelphia and I say her name – Renee Good.”
Several people in the audience responded, “Renee Good.”
“Renée Good,” Bilal repeated.
The second time, the response from the public was strong: “Renée Good!”
She repeated Good’s name three times while unseen members of the audience cooperated in a call and response typical of the evangelical church service.
It is not clear whether any journalists were among those who responded.
In a highly unusual rant from law enforcement officials who rarely criticize other officers in the field, the 27-year former Philadelphia police veteran claimed that sworn Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are not legitimate cops.
She began: “Note that law enforcement professionals, the real ones, not the fake ones, made up ICE – probably Trump’s new army to attack the citizens of the United States – did you hear what I said? No law enforcement officials wear masks. None. None.”
Later, she asserted, “law enforcement professionals” do not “shoot at moving vehicles” or “stand in front of moving vehicles to suggest illegal action.”
“I call them fake wannabe law enforcement,” she continued. “Because what they are doing is not only against the legal law but also against the moral law.”
It’s unclear whether the sheriff was talking about the Minneapolis shootings or ICE enforcement in general, which derives its arrest powers and federal jurisdiction from immigration law passed by Congress and administered by the executive branch.
His comments quickly sparked reactions on social networks.
“It’s not a parody.” wrote one identified as C3 of X. “He’s the real sheriff of Philadelphia County. Is it possible to coexist with someone like that?”
“You can’t make this stuff up,” another observer job.
“This is what DEI looks like” wrote Eric Daugherty, social media commentator from Florida.
Bilal, former secretary of the Philadelphia NAACP, is no stranger to controversy.
In 2021, she faced lawsuits from three senior executives who claimed they lost their jobs after alleging financial irregularities as well as sexual harassment, according to the Hindustan Times.
She also faced allegations that she wasted department money on promotional items such as trading cards bearing her likeness and printed AI-generated fake news about her, Fox News reported.
Contributor Lowell Cauffiel is the bestselling author of Below the line and nine other mystery novels and non-fiction titles. See lowellcauffiel.com to find out more.
