Milan Mayor Calls ICE ‘Murderous Militia,’ Opposes Olympic Security Role

MILAN — Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala voiced strong opposition Tuesday to the involvement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in security operations for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.

In an interview, Sala characterized ICE as a "murderous militia" and declared that the agency is "not welcome in Milan." The Winter Games are scheduled to begin on Feb. 6, 2026.

The U.S. State Department later issued a statement clarifying that its Diplomatic Security Service will lead American security efforts. Support will be provided by several federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of ICE.

U.S. officials emphasized that HSI’s role is limited to assisting Italian authorities in mitigating risks from transnational crime. All security operations will be directed by the Italian government.

Despite his opposition, Sala questioned the feasibility of blocking the agency’s participation, asking, "Can we say no to Trump?"

The mayor’s comments follow Italian television broadcasts showing ICE agents threatening a film crew. Public scrutiny has also increased following two recent fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala’s searing indictment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—branding the agency a "murderous militia"—signals a rare and profound fracture between a key European ally and American law enforcement. The rhetoric transcends a mere diplomatic spat, underscoring a fundamental clash of values as European leaders increasingly view U.S. enforcement tactics as incompatible with continental human rights standards.

Sala’s rhetorical pivot—"Can we say no to Trump?"—lays bare the stark asymmetry of power defining the bilateral relationship. It is a candid acknowledgment that despite deep-seated moral objections, Italy remains tethered to U.S. security protocols. For major international events like the upcoming Olympics, where the safety of American athletes is a non-negotiable priority for Washington, Rome finds its sovereign discretion significantly curtailed.

In response, the U.S. State Department has engaged in classic damage control, attempting to depoliticize the rift by drawing a technical distinction between ICE’s controversial enforcement wing and its investigative arm, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). However, within the European theater, such jurisdictional nuances are likely to be lost. The "ICE" brand has become so thoroughly toxic that the distinction fails to resonate with a public that views the agency as a monolithic entity.

The catalyst for this escalation—recent incidents in Minneapolis involving threats against an Italian film crew—has effectively internationalized what was once a domestic American firestorm. By leveraging these grievances, Mayor Sala has transformed a localized dispute into a high-stakes international incident, one that threatens to complicate the essential security cooperation required for the Olympic Games.