A reporter confronted Democratic Oregon Rep. Maxine Dexter on Tuesday over her accusations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the U.S. Border Patrol’s shooting of two individuals linked to Venezuelan crime syndicate Tren de Aragua (TdA).
Dexter put out a statement on Jan. 8 where she accused ICE of spreading “terror, chaos and cruelty” throughout the U.S., even though the shooting involved Border Patrol and not ICE. Outside of the Capitol, Dexter stumbled as Fox News congressional correspondent Bill Melugin asked why she did not wait for all of the facts to come to light before weighing in.
“Why didn’t you wait for any facts to come out on the Portland Border Patrol shooting before you put your statement out?” Melugin asked.
“I did not make a statement about the … no, I made a statement. I did not say anything about whether or not those folks were rightfully having —” Dexter replied, prompting Melugin to quote her statement. “My question for you is did they follow due process and the answer is no. Those folks were shot before they had [due process].”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that a gang member and prostitute attacked Border Patrol agents in Portland, Ore., which led to the shooting. The individuals were identified as Luis David Nico Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, who were released into the U.S. by former President Joe Biden’s administration in 2022 and 2023.
While pressed by Melugin, Dexter would not even factually state that the two individuals were part of TdA, despite local law enforcement confirming that information.
“Those folks were two Venezuelan gang members who both local police and DHS—,” Melugin began.
“Allegedly,” Dexter interjected.
“Local police in Portland say they were,” Melugin responded.
The congresswoman also argued that immigrant communities are feeling “terrorized” and that those in power must stand with them.
Anti-ICE sentiments have escalated across the U.S. after an ICE agent shot Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minn., as she appeared to accelerate her vehicle toward him. Footage showed Good disobeying ICE agents’ orders to exit her vehicle while she blocked the road by starting the vehicle, backing up slightly, and accelerating forward. The agent standing in front of the car fired multiple shots, killing Good instantly.
President Donald Trump’s administration maintained that the officer acted in self-defense. Democrats, such as Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, declared that the shooting was unjustified and called on ICE to “get the fuck out” of the city.
Dexter was notably one of four House Democrats who took a trip to El Salvador in April 2025 — where they stayed in a luxury hotel — in support of reputed MS-13 gangbanger Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
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