Latest news with #Ogles
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ogles claims federal investigation into Nashville mayor has begun
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) posted on social media Friday that the Congressional investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell has begun. Rep. Ogle's said the federal investigation of Mayor O'Connell, connected to this month's ICE operation, is moving forward. Ogles posted a letter from two house committees, requesting the mayor turn over documents to congress by June of defending our state, Mayor Freddie O'Connell is sabotaging it. He's weaponized his office to dox and surveil federal agents who are trying to stop violent criminals — and worse, he's embraced those criminals by creating a taxpayer-funded program to aid illegal aliens. The recipients of these funds are untraceable. The purpose is crystal clear: help illegal foreigners evade the law. I refuse to sit back while our communities are overrun — while our neighborhoods are destroyed and our daughters are assaulted. And I doubly refuse to stay silent while blue city mayors aid and abet this invasion. Today, with the full support of Chairmen Jim Jordan and Mark Green, I'm taking action. If Mayor O'Connell wants to spy on federal agents doing their job, then Congress is going to investigate him for obstruction. Rep. Andy Ogles Homeland Security identifies Nashville as sanctuary city The Nashville Community Review Board recently called out Rep. Ogles for what the executive director described as a 'reckless' social media post amid the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. Ogles claimed the board was protecting 'illegal aliens,' and now the board said it's getting 'ugly' calls from people across the country. The 'public safety operation' involving ICE and Tennessee Highway Patrol has led to at least 196 arrests in Nashville this month, according to the Department of Homeland Security. DHS recently identified Nashville as a sanctuary city on its list, which was 'created to identify sanctuary jurisdictions, which are determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens,' according to DHS. 📲 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.📧 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.💻 for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
TN congressman criticized for social media post about Nashville Community Review Board
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Nashville Community Review Board called out U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) for what the executive director described as a 'reckless' social media post amid the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. Ogles claimed the board was protecting 'illegal aliens,' and now the board said it's getting 'ugly' calls from people across the country. The 'public safety operation' involving ICE and Tennessee Highway Patrol has led to at least 196 arrests in Nashville this month, according to the Department of Homeland Security. 'A lot of these immigrants are here working, whether they're here legally or what,' Walker Holloway said. Nashville criticized for sharing ICE interactions That is how the NCRB — which serves as an independent oversight committee for the Metro Nashville Police Department — opened its meeting on Wednesday, May 28. Earlier this month, the government organization posted a video on its social media pages that said, 'If you believe you experienced or witnessed [an] immigration related event involving MNPD officers, then you can file a complaint through the NCRB.' Officials included the phone number for the confidential complaint line. Ogles shared a picture of the post on X, writing, 'This is on Nashville's official website. This is a flagrant protection of illegal aliens. We need to investigate this immediately.' 'I felt really strongly that this information and how it was retweeted was reckless, in my opinion. It could have caused more harm,' Jill Fitcheard, executive director for the NCRB, said. Congressman Andy Ogles confirms federal investigation into Nashville mayor's office over illegal immigration According to Fitcheard, that's when her office received more than 55 phone calls. 'The first calls that we got were from maybe 10 or 12 people who seemed to be local…but the next calls that came in, and they just kept coming in, were mostly people who did not live in Tennessee or live in Nashville, and they said a lot of ugly things, and some of my staff members were really concerned,' Fitcheard said. Meanwhile, Ogles announced on Monday, May 26 that there will be a federal investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell for allegedly 'aiding and abetting' illegal immigration, without providing proof, prompting criticism from immigrant rights groups. The congressman, along with several Tennessee elected officials and representatives from law enforcement agencies, announced the Homeland Security and Judiciary committees will look into the mayor, his conduct, and whether or not the city used federal dollars 'in criminal enterprise' related to immigration. Tennessee Republican lawmakers urge local police to work with ICE, help with deportations 'So when a mayor stands up and is defending those types of individuals over our hard-working law enforcement, Homeland Security, ICE, THP, the sheriff's department in the city, he's choosing criminals over Tennesseans,' Ogles said on Monday. 'The mayor has nothing to hide,' Holloway said. Less than two weeks before Ogles confirmed the federal investigation into O'Connell, the mayor stood firm against claims that he and other Metro leaders obstructed ICE agents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
GOP Lawmaker Says Trump Should Get A 3rd Term To 'Reset' The Courts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A House Republican lawmaker renewed his calls on Thursday for President Donald Trump to serve a third term in office so he can "reset" the courts. The Context Republican Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee has repeatedly pushed for Trump to serve for three terms as president, which is prohibited by the Constitution. Ogles made headlines in January when he proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow presidents to serve three terms in office, provided they haven't already served out two consecutive terms. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., arrives to the U.S. Capitol before the House passed the budget resolution on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., arrives to the U.S. Capitol before the House passed the budget resolution on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images What To Know Ogles on Thursday told Fox Business Network's Maria Bartiromo that Trump should get to serve another term after his current term ends so he can combat what Ogles described as "judicial overreach." He was referring to a Wednesday ruling from the U.S. Court of International Trade blocking the sweeping global tariffs that the president first announced on April 2, which he dubbed "liberation day." In a unanimous ruling, the court's three-judge panel said Trump does not have "unbounded authority" to impose the tariffs under an emergency-powers law known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA). "Enough is enough," Ogles told Bartiromo on Thursday, adding that global leaders "want a deal with the United States" and "understand that they're better off when they have a deal with us than to have these woke activist judges." One of the judges on the panel is a Trump appointee. The other two were appointed by President Ronald Reagan and President Barack Obama. "We've seen it all across the spectrum: in the civil, the criminal and, of course, in these international courts," Ogles said, referring to the Court of International Trade, which is a federal court. "And so I think it's great that Trump is pushing back and fighting back," the Tennessee Republican added. "And quite frankly, I'd love for Trump to have a third term so we can reset these courts and actually have folks who follow the law and the Constitution versus their ideological positions." The trade court's tariff ruling was the third major legal setback Trump suffered in one day. Earlier Wednesday, a judge blocked the administration from deporting Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil. Another judge said the White House must reinstate Biden-era programs that allowed migrants with "parole" status to seek work permits and immigration relief in the U.S. What People Are Saying Responding to Wednesday's ruling on Trump's tariffs, a White House spokesperson told Newsweek: "These deficits have created a national emergency that has decimated American communities, left our workers behind, and weakened our defense industrial base – facts that the court did not dispute." They added: "It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency. President Trump pledged to put America First, and the Administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness." Former federal prosecutor Elie Honig said on CNN: "This is a fully legitimate federal court. I should note, this is a 3-0 opinion. The three judges on this court were appointed by President Reagan, President Obama and President Trump, so I don't know where they're getting this coup language from ... This is a huge setback for the Trump administration. As big a deal as the tariffs were, this is as big a deal in the opposite direction. It essentially pauses, for now, rules illegal and unconstitutional almost all of the tariffs that have been put in place." What Happens Next Global markets rallied on Thursday morning in response to the trade court's decision. The Trump administration has appealed the ruling and said it could ask the Supreme Court as soon as Friday to step in and halt the trade court's ruling. If Wednesday's ruling is upheld, the Trump administration could be forced to refund billions of dollars already paid in import duties. In the meantime, the following tariffs have been put on pause: The 10 percent global tariffs Trump announced on April 2 targeted nearly every U.S. trading partner. The 25 percent tariffs Trump imposed on a slew of Canadian and Mexican imports. The 20 percent tariffs Trump levied against most imports from China. Trump's tariffs on aluminum, steel and automobile products are still in effect because he did not invoke the IEEPA to impose the duties.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell being probed for allegedly 'aiding' illegal immigrants
Progressive Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell is being investigated by the feds for allegedly 'aiding and abetting' illegal immigrants and obstructing ICE agents. The Department of Homeland Security and congressional judiciary committees are probing whether O'Connell used federal tax dollars 'in criminal enterprise' related to illegal immigration, Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles announced. The progressive mayor had condemned a huge Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation that nabbed immigrants — many criminals with gang affiliations — and then signed an executive order making city staff report all communications they have with agents. 4 Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell allegedly 'aided and abetted' illegal immigrants and allegedly obstructed federal immigration operations. REUTERS 'We've heard it: the individuals that the mayor is standing with are murderers, rapists, drug traffickers, sexual predators, child traffickers…the list goes on,' Ogles said Monday at a press conference at the Tennessee State capital building. 'I will always stand on the rule of law and with ICE. And I don't just stand with ICE; I'll stand in front of ICE because we the people have had enough,' the Republican lawmaker said. 'Due to the remarks of Freddie O'Connell and the potential for aiding and abetting illegal immigration, the Homeland Security and the judiciary committees will be conducting an investigation into the mayor of Nashville, his conduct and whether or not federal dollars have been used in criminal enterprise,' Ogles continued. Ogles had previously sent a letter to ICE and the judiciary committees urging them to investigate the mayor — whom the Trump administration has accused of supporting 'pro-illegal policies' — for obstructing ICE operations. ICE agents working with the Tennessee Highway Patrol had busted nearly 200 immigrants — many criminals with gang affiliations — in a joint operation earlier this month. 4 A woman cries as a bus transporting detained people leaves the DHS field office in Nashville where multiple immigrant rights groups gathered to protest in Nashville, Tennessee on May 4, 2025. REUTERS 4 ICE officers detain a man stopped by Tennessee Highway Patrol at a gas station in South Nashville as he could not produce any alternative ID other than his expired driving license on May 10, 2025. REUTERS After the arrests, O'Connell signed an executive order requiring city departments to inform the mayor's office within a certain time frame after communicating with federal immigration authorities, according to The Tennessean. Ogles called the executive order 'an outrageous directive.' 'If you're helping violent gangs destroy Tennessee by obstructing ICE — you belong behind bars,' Ogles' posted on social media following the press conference. 4 'I will always stand on the rule of law and with ICE,' GOP Rep. Andy Ogles said. Laura Thompson/Shutterstock DHS called out O'Connell by name after the operations and claimed O'Connell 'stands by pro-illegal policies, claiming that these operations were done by 'people who do not share our values of safety.''
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Immigrant rights groups respond to TN congressman's call for federal investigation into Nashville mayor's office
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Immigrant rights advocates have criticized Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles' call for a federal investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's office. Ogles has publicly questioned whether Nashville officials misused federal funds and whether the mayor was 'aiding and abetting' illegal immigration — without providing proof. 'The mayor stands up and is defending those types of individuals over our hard-working law enforcement: Homeland Security, ICE, THP, the sheriff's department, and the city,' Ogles said. 'He is choosing criminals over Tennesseans.' PREVIOUS | 'We're going to take a look': TN congressman doubles down on call for investigation into Nashville mayor Part of the controversy is The Belonging Fund, launched by a nonprofit after recent ICE roundups in South Nashville. Metro promoted the fund, which provides emergency support to immigrants, covering basics like food, housing, and transportation. Ogles has claimed that the fund illegally aids undocumented immigrants. Additionally, Ogles claims that O'Connell and State Representative Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) encouraged interference against ICE. Both O'Connell and Behn have denied the allegations. 'If Representative Andy Ogles wants to talk about investigations, I think he should start to look in the mirror,' Behn told News 2. 'This man is a walking ethics violation.' Metro officials say no taxpayer dollars were used for The Belonging Fund, and it does not cover legal services or immigration defense. 'If you come into this country illegally, your very first act is illegal,' Ogles said. However, advocates for immigrants have expressed skepticism on any case against Metro officials, including O'Connell. 'The Tennessee Highway Patrol had ongoing operations for at least a week, and nobody stopped anything from happening,' Executive Director for Advocates for Immigrants Rights, Casey Bryant, said. 'If they are providing blanket services that happen to cover undocumented individuals, then I don't really see that mens rea — that willful and intelligent component to the violation of that law,' Director for the Immigrant Justice Program CLC, Colton Bane, said. 'It just happens to have such a wide range that these people could get some assistance.' Bane said that Nashville could see federal retaliation. 'What I think is much more likely in this situation is the withholding of federal funds for the city of Nashville, which tends to be the go-to tactic when the federal government is seeking to punish a city or state,' Bane explained. Behn said she thinks Ogles' threats are a distraction from Tennesseans' real needs. 'Our groceries still cost a lot, healthcare is bankrupting families, and our wages haven't improved, and the republican party has no way of fixing this and, so instead, they are scapegoating a very small marginalized community,' Behn said. Ogles also emphasized his belief that noncitizens have no due process rights, which is untrue. 'Outside, they are chanting 'Protect due process,' do you think every person who was arrested in the local ICE raids has a right to due process?' a reporter asked Ogles. 'No, so if you are a noncitizen under the current law, you can be removed in an expeditious manner,' Ogles responded. Bryant stressed that if noncitizens were to lose their right to due process, it would impact citizens. ⏩ 'Due process is something that we value highly in the criminal context, and it is historically what has made this country a more just place, but if we take due process rights away from noncitizens, then it is just a matter of time before other people, even citizens are deprived of their due process rights,' Bryant explained. News 2 reached out to both O'Connell's office and ICE for comment. However, as of publication, we have received no response. Metro Legal did not have a comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
