House Republican Probing Nashville Mayor’s ICE Standoff Ties Investigation to LA Riots

Ogles warns of taxpayer resources aiding migrants as GOP shifts attention to unrest in Los Angeles

House Republicans investigating Nashville’s handling of federal immigration enforcement are now expanding their focus to Los Angeles, where violent protests erupted in response to recent ICE raids.

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), who is helping lead the investigation, briefed senior Trump administration law enforcement officials on Thursday. He raised concerns that taxpayer resources might be indirectly supporting undocumented immigrants through a controversial fund promoted by Nashville’s city government.

Allegations Against Nashville Mayor and the “Belonging Fund”

At the center of the probe is Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and the “Belonging Fund,” which Ogles claims is being used to support individuals targeted by ICE — potentially in violation of federal law.

“Although described as privately funded, the Belonging Fund has been promoted through official city platforms and appears to leverage city infrastructure,” Ogles wrote in a letter to Trump-era officials. “Its stated purpose – to provide legal aid, housing, transportation, and other support to individuals arrested or targeted by ICE – raises serious concerns.”

Ogles questioned whether city officials had used federal funds to “harbor or conceal individuals from lawful detention,” which could violate the Anti-Deficiency Act and other federal grant rules.

The fund’s website insists that all donations come from individuals and private organizations, with “no taxpayer dollars” used in its operation.

ICE Raids and Fallout in Tennessee

Tensions escalated after ICE, in coordination with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, arrested nearly 200 individuals in Tennessee — many of whom, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), had gang affiliations or criminal backgrounds.

Following the raids, Mayor O’Connell criticized federal agents and signed an executive order to track local interactions with federal immigration authorities. He also called the process “deeply frustrating” and said it reflected a broader failure.

Ogles, however, said the mayor’s reaction was part of “a deeply troubling pattern of resistance to lawful immigration enforcement.”

Investigation Expands to Los Angeles

Ogles also told Trump officials that House investigators are now “closely reviewing recent events in Los Angeles,” where protests erupted over ICE actions. Those protests have reportedly turned violent, leading President Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard — a move sharply criticized by Democrats.

Democratic leaders in California have accused the former president of overstepping his authority and inflaming tensions. Meanwhile, Trump allies defended the move as a necessary step to restore order.

Ogles’ letter suggests House Republicans see a growing national trend of local officials pushing back against federal immigration enforcement — and they intend to dig in.

Official Responses Still Pending

The Department of Justice said it could not confirm whether it had received Ogles’ letter. Fox News Digital also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the White House, and the mayors’ offices in both Nashville and Los Angeles for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.

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