‘This Is All Fake. It’s All Phony. It’s All Astroturf’: Byron Donalds [WATCH]

Katie Pavlich and Rep. Byron Donalds discussed anti-ICE protests, law enforcement cooperation, and political motivations during an on-air exchange focused on differences between blue and red states.

Pavlich raised concerns about messaging tied to recent anti-ICE demonstrations, pointing to what she described as coordinated symbolism and rhetoric.

“The Hunger Games, music choice. There was not a coincidence, and that item she stapled on board said, abolish ICE. So if you missed it, is this education or indoctrination,” Pavlich said.

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She noted that protests and disruption targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations have been concentrated in blue states and cities, particularly Minnesota, while similar activity has not taken place in Florida.

“We’re seeing this continued anti ICE chaos in Minnesota, where we’re not seeing it is in Florida. We’re seeing in other blue counties, in blue states, blue cities. We’re not seeing it in Florida. Can you explain why there’s more law enforcement there?” she asked.

Donalds attributed the difference to policy decisions made by Florida’s leadership.

“It’s very clear. Governor DeSantis made it loud and clear that every law enforcement agency in our state was going to cooperate fully with ICE and the federal government,” Donalds said.

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He added that cooperation with federal authorities is embedded in Florida law and reflected in how the state approaches enforcement.

Donalds contrasted Florida’s approach with what he described as Democratic leadership in Minnesota.

He argued that protests there have been allowed to interfere with federal law enforcement operations.

“The reason you’re not seeing it in Florida is because Florida is not trying to nullify the United States Constitution by allowing for these protests to derail ICE, to dox these officers, to try to intimidate them, to disrupt a law enforcement action that the federal government has plenty plenary power to execute under the Constitution,” Donalds said.

According to Donalds, Democratic officials are allowing disorder for political gain.

“Minnesota looks like, unfortunately, a powder keg, but that’s because of Democrat leadership in Minnesota. They want the uprisings. They want the video to cell phone cameras, because the Democrats don’t really have any policy to run on in the midterm election, so they’re trying to manufacture one,” he said.

Donalds described the unrest as deliberate, adding, “So it’s fair to say that the chaos is a choice. Absolutely, it’s a choice.”

He pointed to other Republican-led states as examples.

“Look at Florida. Look at Texas. Look at Tennessee. You don’t see any of this exactly,” Donalds said, arguing that Democratic leaders are attempting to oppose President Trump by creating confrontations over federal enforcement.

Donalds also cited the recent government shutdown as part of the same political strategy.

“It wasn’t just this issue. Look at the first shutdown we had this year. What do we even shut down the government for 40 days for flights are being canceled. Americans are being inconvenienced. Economy is taking a hit,” he said, claiming the shutdown was driven by political theater.

“Why so Chuck Schumer could prove that he’s a tough guy standing up to Donald Trump. This is all fake. It’s all phony. It’s all astroturf.”

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