Responding to Trump’s ICE Blitz Puts Republicans in a Messaging Quagmire

As federal agents wage aggressive campaigns in cities across the U.S., there’s unease and a lack of consensus among Republicans on how to respond.

Federal agents try to clear demonstrators near a hotel in Minneapolis using tear gas.

Federal agents try to clear demonstrators near a hotel in Minneapolis using tear gas. (AP Photo/Adam Gray) (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda is becoming a messaging headache for other members of his party.

Immigration is typically an issue that Republicans can count on to score easy points on the campaign trail. But after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by federal agents in Minnesota this month, Republicans are having to make real-time decisions about how and whether to break with the Trump administration as they think ahead to the midterms.

And Republicans who are running still have no consensus on their response.