Trump Steps In to Reverse ICE’s Pause on Traffic Stops

The agency had ordered a halt on most vehicle stops in the aftermath of two fatal shootings.

ICE Shooting Maine

Blood is seen Monday on the pavement near the scene of a shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Biddeford, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

President Donald Trump on Wednesday overturned a directive issued by top officials at Immigration and Customs Enforcement that temporarily halted most traffic stops performed by the agency, a White House official told NOTUS.

The abrupt decision to reverse the pause followed fierce backlash across conservative media, which staunchly defended ICE’s increased use of the practice since Trump returned to office last year.

“We CANNOT give up one of I.C.E.’s most important and effective Crime Fighting tools, THE TRAFFIC STOP!” Trump wrote on Truth Social early Wednesday. “Once we do, we are playing right into the criminal’s hands. The Radical Left Dumocrats would like to see this done, but it won’t happen on my watch. I.C.E., be judicious, fair and smart, and go back and do your very important job.”