Blackburn Calls on DOJ to Investigate Nashville Mayor and His Office for Obstructing Immigration Enforcement Operations

May 30, 2025

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) sent a letter to United States Attorney General Pam Bondi formally requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launch an investigation into the actions of Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and his office for attempting to undermine President Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in their work to make Tennessee communities safer by arresting illegal aliens and getting dangerous criminals off the streets:

Mayor O’Connell’s Efforts to Obstruct Immigration Enforcement Raise Deep Concerns

“I write to express my deep concern with the recent actions of Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and his efforts to obstruct the work of the Trump administration to secure our border, deport criminal illegal aliens, and Make America Safe Again. After a joint operation conducted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) led to the arrests of nearly 200 illegal immigrants in Nashville, Mayor O’Connell signed an executive order requiring city departments—including local law enforcement—to report all communications they have with federal immigration authorities. The intent of this executive order is clear: obstruct ICE operations in Nashville and tip off criminal illegal aliens to avoid apprehension and detention.

Mayor O’Connell Has Placed Federal Law Enforcement Officers Directly in Harm’s Way

“This week, O’Connell publicly released the names of multiple Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and ICE agents, along with their immigration enforcement activities. By doxxing these hard working law enforcement officers who are working to make the Nashville community safe, the mayor has placed them directly in harm’s way. Specifically, he has revealed the names of these brave men and women to the criminal members of Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and other violent gangs. At a time when ICE officers have faced a 413% increase in assaults, demonizing these brave law enforcement officers will not be tolerated… President Trump and his administration are already hard at work deporting criminal illegal aliens and making our communities safe again, and an investigation into the mayor’s conduct would be a tremendous step forward in holding rogue mayors and local officials to account.”

Click here to read the full letter. 

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