Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., told Newsmax Wednesday that President Donald Trump "absolutely made the right decision" by reversing a temporary pause on some Immigration and Customs Enforcement traffic stops, adding that the administration should "turn up the heat and double down" on deportations.
Appearing on "Rob Schmitt Tonight," Ogles compared the situation to a law enforcement agency responding to an officer-involved incident.
"If you have an incident involving an officer, there's protocols in place and examination of that specific event, that specific officer, but you don't shut down the whole department. You don't give criminals a pass," he said.
"The president absolutely did the right thing," he continued, arguing ICE agents should return to "deporting illegals" and that "this one incident isn't going to slow our job, which is to deport the illegal criminals."
ICE's enforcement tactics are coming under renewed criticism after three people died during encounters with federal officers within a week.
In Florida, a 28-year-old man was killed Tuesday after he was hit by a tractor trailer while running from immigration and other federal officers, authorities said.
Before that, two motorists were shot and killed by ICE officers — one in Texas last week and another in Maine on Monday.
Asked about Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin's reported role in the initial decision, Ogles said Trump, "at the end of the day, is the chief executive of the country" and "reversed it just as he should have."
"I think we move on and move past this," he said. "Markwayne will learn from this and continue to do a great job as we double down on deporting these folks."
Ogles also voiced strong support for ICE officers.
"If you resist arrest, you're increasing the probability that you're going to get shot. That is just a fact," he said.
"And I support ICE 110%. If you're an illegal, get the heck out."
Turning to commercial driver's licenses, Ogles backed Trump's proposal to remove illegal immigrants from trucking jobs while expanding opportunities for military veterans.
"The president, once again, is correct. Let's check their proficiency, then let's get them on the road and let's get these illegals off our streets," he said.
"They shouldn't be in this country to begin with. They certainly should not be driving heavy machinery," Ogles continued. "They should not have CDLs. They should not be driving, period."
Ogles also criticized Democrats over illegal immigration.
"They'll stand up for illegals. Meanwhile, Americans are paying the price," he said.
Discussing his proposed Anchors Away Act, Ogles said the legislation would address what he described as abuse of birthright citizenship.
"There's this loophole where you have individuals from China who come to the United States, have a child, and go back home," Ogles said.
"This is a simple measure to block women, especially those from China, from coming into our country, having a baby, obtaining citizenship for that child, and then literally working to undermine this country."
Ogles concluded by warning that "China plays the long game."
"They're here to undermine our country, and this is just another step where we have to be aggressive and defend our Constitution and defend our country," he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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