Streamer Hasan Piker Draws Backlash for Joking About Injured ICE Agents at Ilhan Omar Campaign Event

Streamer Hasan Piker is facing sharp criticism online after he joked about federal immigration agents who were injured during Operation Metro Surge. He made the remarks at a campaign event with Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., on Monday night in Minneapolis.

Looking back on his time in Minnesota during protests against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, Piker said he figured agents working in the freezing winter weather must be "extra racist." He then mocked an injured officer while the audience laughed. "We saw a lot of funny compilations as well, you know. A lot of hip bones were broken. 'Officer Martinez down,'" he said. He was speaking with Omar Fateh, a Democratic socialist and unsuccessful Minneapolis mayoral candidate, who hosted the sold-out event.

Piker also said he was inspired by the "solidarity" and "mutual aid" that followed the deployment of thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agents to Minnesota. The surge brought protests that led to multiple arrests, objects and fireworks thrown at law enforcement, and the disruption of a church service. Two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed during encounters with federal law enforcement. Piker also called Republicans "terrorists," while Omar described the party as the "pedophile protection party."

Piker, who streams commentary on Twitch, has been campaigning alongside several prominent Democrats and has become a polarizing figure within the party. Some Democrats welcome him, while others keep their distance. He has drawn national attention before, including for saying "America deserved 9/11," and has faced accusations of antisemitism over his comments on Israel and Hamas.

Omar is dealing with controversy of her own. Homeland Security Investigations agents searched her Washington, D.C., home earlier this month, and a federal court filing identified her as "Ilhan Nur Said Elmi, aka Ilhan Abdullahi Omar."

Rep. Angie Craig and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, both Minnesota Democrats, publicly condemned Piker. Other Minnesota Democrats urged that the event be canceled as voters get ready for next week's midterm elections. Omar's campaign defended her decision to attend, saying it was meant to mobilize young voters.

Conservative figures reacted angrily on social media. Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of the Charlie Kirk Show, wrote on X that the comments amounted to "tacit support for the far-left insurrection network against federal law enforcement," and said every Democrat who campaigned with Piker should be asked whether they agree. Others, including Loomer Unleashed, Crucible Updates, commentator Gina Milan and Loud Majority Live host Kevin Smith, also posted condemnations.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the "vilification" of ICE agents who "put their lives on the line" every day is contributing to a more than 1,600% increase in assaults against them. The spokesperson said ICE agents do not target people by skin color and take required steps to establish immigration status and removability before an arrest. "Politicians and activists must turn the temperature down and tone down their rhetoric," the spokesperson said.

Omar is running for re-election in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District against former state trooper John Nagel and independent candidate DeVelle Jackson. Fox News Digital said it contacted both Piker and Omar for comment.