Augusta, Maine — Last night, Bobby Charles went beyond defending Donald Trump’s ICE operations, pledging “unequivocal” support and doubling down on the agency’s reckless, dangerous behavior. This is part of Charles’ ongoing support for how Trump is utilizing ICE, which includes selling “I Stand With ICE” vinyl bumper stickers and shirts. 

While Mainers are calling for stronger oversight and commonsense limits, Charles is offering blanket allegiance.

Maine Democratic Party executive director Devon Murphy-Anderson released the following statement:

“Bobby Charles has made his choice — and it’s not Maine. He’s standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Donald Trump and defending ICE’s record of abuse while Maine families are left anxious and outraged.

“Instead of fighting for transparency and accountability, Charles is cheering on the chaos. That is not leadership, it’s extremism. And Mainers deserve to know whether the rest of the Republican field is just as eager to rubber-stamp Trump’s agenda that is hurting Mainers.”

The Maine Democratic Party also released a video highlighting Charles’ remarks and ICE’s impact in Maine. We will continue to expose reckless Republican extremism and make sure every voter knows exactly who is siding with Trump and who is standing up for Maine families.