A police officer was shot outside a Texas detention center last week in what some federal officials and law enforcement leaders say is the latest consequence of increasingly hostile rhetoric from Democratic politicians.

The officer was shot in the neck Friday night outside the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado while assisting local police, according to Fox News. He was airlifted to a hospital in Fort Worth and has since been released. Several suspects were taken into custody.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche responded on X, writing:

Acting ICE Director Tom Homan blamed the attack on inflammatory language from elected Democrats.

“The rhetoric against the men and women of ICE is skyrocketing,” Homan said on Fox News. “We have senators and congresspeople comparing ICE to Nazis and racists. So the public thinks, ‘Well, if a member of Congress can attack ICE, why can’t we?’”

According to the Department of Homeland Security, assaults on ICE officers have risen 700% since last year. DHS reported 10 assaults between January and June 2024. That number has jumped to 79 so far this year, according to Fox.

Some Republicans are pointing fingers at Democratic officials for encouraging or tolerating anti-law enforcement sentiment.

“This is insane,” Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) posted on X. “Unhinged liberal activists are now demanding Dems instigate violence at ICE facilities. False media narratives and irresponsible rhetoric have caused the Democrat base to lose their minds.”

A House Democrat reportedly told Axios that “civility isn’t working” and that violence might be necessary to “protect our democracy.”

The Dallas Express reached out to Texas Democrats, including U.S. Reps. Marc Veasey, Jasmine Crockett, Joaquin Castro, Greg Casar, Senate candidate Colin Allred, and Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder to ask whether they condemn the violence. None responded.

The shooting has renewed GOP calls for elected officials to tone down anti-law enforcement rhetoric as the Trump administration prepares for potential mass deportations.