Nashville’s Democrat mayor Freddie O’Connell is under federal investigation, accused of helping illegal immigrants escape ICE.
The probe has been confirmed by U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, who explained the federal inquiry will look into whether the city used federal dollars ‘in criminal enterprise’ related to immigration.
He believes the mayor – who is a vocal opponent of ICE raids – may have been using taxpayer dollars to block deportation efforts.
‘If you’re helping violent gangs destroy Tennessee by obstructing ICE — you belong behind bars,’ the Republican posted online Monday.
On Memorial Day, Ogles called for Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell obstructed a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in early May.
Almost 200 people were arrested in a week-long sweep between ICE and state police, according to the Tennessean.
Nashville Mayor, Freddie O’Connell, is under federal investigation, accused of helping illegal immigrants escape ICE
O’Connell had been critical about the involvement of the Metro Nashville Police Department.
The mayor pointed out federal officials had ‘shown us no proof’ that those arrested in the early May operation were people ‘with criminal histories or criminal intent.’
The immigration sweeps took part in largely Hispanic areas of Nashville.
‘We don’t even know the names of who they’ve arrested, much less the charges,’ the mayor told WKRN at the time.
‘What we have seen is a violation of due process and the defiance of court orders.’
The Democrat has denied any wrongdoing.
He is instead pushing support for the Belonging Fund – an initiative he launched to help migrants being deported.
‘The Belonging Fund supports families known to be impacted as a result of activities related to immigration, but the entire point is family supports, cost of living, those kinds of things,’ O’Connell told the local outlet.
‘It’s not even intended to be about legal services, so it is about people who have identified food insecurity as a result of possibly losing somebody who was an earner in the household, it is about childcare, it is about basic family needs.’
Rep. Andy Ogles (R, Tennessee) speaks at a press conference at the Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville, TN on May 26, 2025. Andy Ogles holds a press conference “Stop the Invasion
