Trump's ICE shooting rant condemned on social media: 'Lies, cruelty, hate and division'

President Donald Trump posted a manifesto to his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, blaming Democrats for the shooting at Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles in Dallas, Texas, that left several detainees dead.

"This is despicable!" wrote Trump. "The Brave Men and Women of ICE are just trying to do their jobs, and remove the 'WORST of the WORST' Criminals out of our Country, but they are facing an unprecedented increase in threats, violence, and attacks by Deranged Radical Leftists." He further demanded Democrats "STOP THIS RHETORIC AGAINST ICE AND AMERICA’S LAW ENFORCEMENT, RIGHT NOW!"

His tirade drew outrage from commenters on social media, particularly on the more liberal-leaning Bluesky platform.

"The Trump administration predictably signaling further efforts to tar domestic political opponents as 'terrorists' — likely with the aims of delegitimizing the opponents while legitimizing state repression against them," wrote Just Security editor Brian Finucane.

"Trump appeals to the very worst of us," wrote former Tea Party GOP congressman Joe Walsh, turned Democratic activist. "He believes his/the GOP’s path to victory is lies, cruelty, hate & division. So he & JD Vance are licking their chops at what happened today at that ICE facility in Dallas bcuz (sic) they will use it to spread their lies, cruelty, hate, & division. Don’t let them."

"Hey guys, we aren't allowed to say things that is Anti Fascist (sic) and now not able to speak out against ICE, or Trump will label us terrorists. KEEP SPEAKING OUT!" wrote liberal commentators Brian and Ed Krassenstein.

Many details are currently unknown about the shooting or its motive; however, the gunman, identified as Joshua Jahn, appears to have scrawled anti-ICE messages on the bullets, per other reporting.